The blast occurred at a colliery near Tangshan, in Hebei province, about 164km (101 miles) from Beijing.

A total of 123 miners were underground at the time of the blast, but 27 had been rescued, according to Xinhua.

Correspondents say China's mining industry is the most dangerous in the world, as increasing demand for energy puts pressure on mines to cut corners.

CHINA'S WORST MINE DISASTERS Feb 1950: Yiluo mine, Henan province - 174 dead May 1960: Laobaidong mine, Shanxi province - 684 dead Sept 2000: Muchonggou mine, Guizhou province - 162 dead Nov 2004: Chenjiashan mine, Shaanxi province - 166 dead Feb 2005: Sunjiawan mine, Liaoning province - 210 dead Nov 2005: Dongfeng mine, Heilongjiang - 171 dead

Chinese officials say some 6,000 miners died last year but non-government groups say the true figure is far higher.

This year, 3,000 deaths have been reported in the country's mines.