TONGCHUAN CITY, Shaanxi Province, July 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Twenty miners have been confirmed dead in Tuesday's coal mine blast in northwestern Shaanxi Province as 17 more bodies were recovered Wednesday, local government announced.

    An official with the mine rescue headquarters told Xinhua that rescuers were searching for another six trapped miners.

    The blast happened at the No. 5 Coal Mine of the Jinsuoguan Townin Tongchuan City at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, when 40 miners were working in the shaft. Fourteen miners were rescued, but one died later in hospital, according to the provincial administration of coal mine safety supervision.

    The mine owner has undergone police investigation, according to the administration.

    Hong Feng, Shaanxi vice provincial governor, and officials of the relevant local government departments rushed to the accident site Tuesday to direct and supervise the rescue operation.    Enditem