A total of 10 coal miners were successfully rescued by 9:00 am Saturday after being trapped underground for 36 hours following a colliery gas blast took place in Hancheng City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

In addition, rescuers have found bodies of 15 victims, seven of which have been moved to the ground. They are searching the whereabouts of four others, the rescue headquarters said.

Wang Shuhe, deputy director of the state coal mine safety supervision bureau, arrived at the Hancheng City Friday night to assist the local government in making investigation and organizing rescue efforts.

The explosion took place at about 9:15 p.m. Thursday in the Shangyukou Colliery, a private coal mine, near Xihancun Village, leaving 29 miners trapped underground.

After the accident, a 50-member rescue team was organized to take turns in going down to search those trapped underground.

Source: Xinhua