CHANGSHA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Nine people have been killed in an explosion in a coal mine in central China's Hunan Province.

The entrance of Zubao Coal Mine where a blast occurred is seen in Lianyuan City, central China's Hunan Province, Feb. 14, 2017. At least eight people were confirmed dead after the blast hit the coal mine at 1:37 a.m, local authorities said on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Li Ga)

The blast occurred at 1:37 a.m. Tuesday at Zubao Coal Mine in Lianyuan City, authorities said.

A total of 29 people were working underground, 16 of whom managed to escape from the shaft. Another four were rescued.

Three injured miners are being treated in hospital and described as stable.

Work is continuing to retrieve the bodies of three victims in the flooded shaft.

The licensed coal mine with an annual production capacity of 90,000 tonnes is owned by Tengfei Coal Mine Co. Ltd.