A gas explosion in a coal mine Saturday killed 10 and injured six in central China's Hubei Province, a local work safety official said.

Nineteen miners were working in the shaft of the Shuijingwan Coal Mine in Zhonglu Township, Lichuan City, when the explosion occurred at about 7:30 a.m., Zhan Caiyong, director of the Hubei Provincial Work Safety Bureau, said.

Rescuers had pulled all 19 out of the mine by 12:50 p.m., but 10 died of serious respiratory impairment despite emergency treatment, Zhan said.

Four of the six injured suffered severe burns and are being treated at a local hospital, he added.

Local authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.