The death toll from a coal mine gas explosion in central China's Henan province rose to 44 yesterday with 35 miners still trapped underground, the local safety watchdog said yesterday morning.

The 14 workers who managed to escape have been admitted to a local hospital. Most suffered burns to their respiratory systems. Three of the injured are in intensive care, including two in critical condition, hospital sources said.

The deadly blast took place at about 1 am on Tuesday in the Pingdingshan Coal Group's Xinhua No 4 pit in the Xinhua District of Pingdingshan city.