13 dead, 20 trapped in China mine blast

Fifteen people have died in a gas explosion in a Chinese coal mine, with 20 still trapped inside.

Chinese medical workers gather at the accident site after a gas explosion at a coal mine in Laisu town, Yongchuan district, Chongqing, China. Source: AAP

Thirteen miners have been found dead after a gas explosion inside a coal mine in western China as rescuers continue to search for another 20 people trapped inside.

The state-run Xinhua News Agency said rescuers found the bodies of 13 people inside the Jinshangou coal mine in China's Chongqing region where the explosion occurred before noon on Monday.

Xinhua previously reported 15 deaths in the explosion, but said onTuesday that Chongqing's deputy mayor corrected previous reports from local coal mine safety authorities.