A coal mine explosion trapped 19 miners in Tongchuan City of northwestern Shaanxi Province Tuesday afternoon, the provincial watchdog on coal mine production safety released.

The explosion happened at the Jinsuo No. 5 Coal Mine at 2:30 PM Tuesday, when 22 miners were working underground. Only three escaped, according to the provincial administration of coal mine safety supervision.

The three miners have been hospitalized and rescue work is underway.

(Xinhua News Agency July 19, 2005)