A coal mine gas blast killed at least 18 people and left dozens missing in southwest China's Yunnan Province, a newspaper reported today.

The accident happened about 9 AM yesterday when more than 50 miners were working under the Shizishan Colliery of Zhenxiong County, Zhaotong City, City Times said.

Four workers died at the scene and eight others were injured, with 43 miners missing, the report said.

However, the death toll climbed to 18 last night and may be even larger as dozens of workers were still trapped under the mine, the report said.

The head of the coal mine and people in charge of production safety have been detained by authorities for questioning. An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.

The private coal mine has an approved production capacity of 90,000 tons a year, according to local government documents.

(Shanghai Daily December 3, 2007)