23 killed in Chinese mine blast

A gas explosion in China has killed at least 23 miners in a northern coal mine.

The Xinhua News Agency said a searches is underway for others still missing.

Some 33 people were rescued from the small mine in Datong, a city in Shanxi province, following the explosion.

More than 60 miners were working in the mine at the time.

The news agency says mine owner and a foreman fled after the accident.