The gas explosion rocked Wayaobao Township Coal Mine in Zichang County of Yan'an City on Saturday afternoon, when 39 miners were working underground. Seven miners managed to escape to the ground.

Twenty-eight bodies have been identified and compensation is being distributed to the families of the victims.

The local police have detained the owner of the coal mine and other managerial staff.

A team of officials from the State Council will arrive at the site of the accident Tuesday to carry out investigation.

Wayaobao Township Coal Mine is a legal, privately-invested coal production entity with an annual production capacity of 30,000 tons.

After the gas explosion, Shaanxi provincial government urged a checkup on all the province's coal mines in a bid to prevent possible accidents. Enditem