At least three miners were killed and seven remained trapped when a gas explosion took place in a coal mine in China's Jiangxi province, the media reported on Saturday.
Officials said the explosion occurred on Friday night at the Yongji coal mine in Shangrao county, Xinhua news agency reported.
Rescuers were trying to rescue the trapped miners.
Initial enquiries showed the mine's safety license expired on January 9. An official said the mine was suspected of indulging in illegal mining. Its owner has been taken in for questioning.