The death toll from a coal mine accident in central China's Henan Province rises to nine after rescuers find another two bodies Tuesday.

Gas leaked at the No. 6 mine shaft, owned by the state-owned Hebi Coal Industry (Group) Corp. Ltd., in Hebi City Monday night.

Forty-four miners were working underground when the gas leaked. Thirty-three managed to escape, 11 others were trapped.

Rescuers found seven bodies early Tuesday and also pulled out two miners who were alive.

Later in the day, two more bodies were found ending the search.

Local work safety authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.

The Hebi Coal Industry (Group) Corp. Ltd. reports an annual coal output capacity of 7 million tons. Its No. 6 mine shaft can produce 1.2 million tons of coal each year.

(Xinhua News Agency October 14, 2008)