Three people were missing early Tuesday after a coal mine gas blast in China`s Shanxi province killed at least 11 people, China`s state run news agency reported, according to CNN.
Sixteen miners were working in the area Monday morning when the blast slammed through a 300-foot mine shaft owned by Xingguang Coal Industry in Jinzhong City, Xinhua reported.
Two workers were rescued, the agency said, and 11 bodies were recovered.
Rescuers were trying to push a pipe into the shaft to bring air to possible survivors as well as to dilute gas. Rescuers won`t be sent underground until a plan is worked out later Tuesday.
Xinhua reported that the mine launched construction earlier this year aimed at increasing its annual production from 300,000 tons to 1.2 million tons.
