A gas explosion in a coal mine in China has killed 19 miners, Chinese media reported.

The incident, which occurred in the southwest province of Sichuan yesterday, trapped around 50 miners underground at the Xiaojiawan coal mine where 120 miners were working.

Reports claim around 70 people had been lifted out of the mine last night and rushed to hospitals.

The bodies of 16 miners killed by carbon monoxide poisoning had been recovered and three other miners died in hospital, Central China Television reported.

The owner of the mine has been put under police custody for investigation, reports claim.