CHENGDE, Hebei, May 20(Xinhuanet)-- The death toll in a coal mine blast in Chengde City of north China's Hebei province has risen to seven, as five more bodies were found Friday afternoon, said sources with the rescue headquarters.

The blast occurred at around 3:00 a.m. Thursday when 85 miners were working underground at the Nuan'erhe Coal Mine in Chengde City. Thirty-four of them were lifted out of the shaft, and 51 others were trapped underground.

The bodies of two miners were discovered Friday morning, and rescuers found another 5 bodies in the afternoon. The fate of the other 44 trapped miners is still unknown, and rescue work is goingon. Enditem