Thirteen people have died in a coal mine gas explosion in southwest China. The local government says the accident happened a little after midnight in a coal mine pit in the city of Qujing in Yunnan Province. A total of 56 miners were working in the pit, of whom 42 escaped without injuries and 14 were trapped.

A search operation is underway. Rescuers have so far retrieved 13 of the bodies and one person is still missing. The local government also said the Hongtutian coal mine is a private mine and is properly licensed for operation.