As many as 17 workers were killed after a coal and gas outburst hit a coal mine in a county in Soth West China.

Eleven others were saved and under medical treatment, a spokesman of the rescue headquarters said Wednesday.

The accident occurred Tuesday at the Anping Coal Mine, which is located in the Lihua Township in the county of Libo.

At that time, 28 miners were working in the shaft. Thirteen managed to escape, and among them, three died later in hospital after treatment failed.
An investigation into the cause of the accident was under way.