The provincial coal mine safety supervision department said the accident took place last night at Yongji Coal Mine of Shangrao County, when the miners were working under the pit.
The blast toppled a section of the shaft.
Rescuers are still working on rescue measures to reach the trapped miners, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
The owner of the privately-owned mine has been caught for police investigation. The mine's safety production license is under renewal procedure.