BEIJING, Oct. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- The State Council has sent a task force to the site of a coal mine gas blast that happened Wednesday night in the central Henan proivince and left at least 56 people dead.

    Sun Huashan, deputy administrator of the State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS), told a press conference that a special team led by heads of the SAWS has been sent to the site of the blast.

    The gas explosion has so far left at least 56 people dead and 148 others missing, according to local sources.

    The blast occurred at 22:47 Wednesday in Daping Mine of Zhengmei Group which is located in Xinmi of the province, according to local coal mine safety administration.

    When the tragedy happened, there were more than 400 people at work. More than 290 people have been evacuated while 148 others were trapped in the mine.

    The local governments have sent rescue workers to the site right after the accident. So far, 56 people have been confirmed dead, but detailed casualty is unavailable. The rescue work is still going on.

    The cause for the blast is under investigation, according to the administration. Enditem