Shanxi (China), Aug 25 (IBNS) At least 11 people died and three others are missing after a coal mine gas blast here Tuesday.

“Sixteen miners were working in the area when the blast slammed through a 300-foot mine shaft owned by Xingguang Coal Industry in Jinzhong City,” officials told state-run news agency Xinhua.

Eleven bodies were recovered, two workers were rescued, while three workers are missing.

Rescuers were trying to push a pipe into the shaft to bring air to possible survivors as well as to dilute gas. Rescuers won’t be sent underground until a plan is worked out later Tuesday, reported CNN.

The mine launched construction earlier this year to increase its annual production from 300,000 tons to 1.2 million tons.