At least 22 miners have been trapped underground following a gas explosion at a coal mine in Heilongjiang province, authorities said on Wednesday, the latest accident to hit the country's coal mining industry.

The accident took place at about 9 pm at the Jingyou Coal Mine in Qitaihe, the city's news office said on Wednesday.

Police have detained the mine owner, manager and other staff who could be liable, the news office said. City authorities have not approved production at the mine and its activities were illegal, it said.