Beijing: At least 56 people were killed in a major coal mine disaster in China today (Oct 21, 2004) and the toll may rise to 204 with officials nearly giving up hope of finding the missing 148 miners alive in central Henan province.

The gas explosion has left at least 56 people dead and 148 others missing, Deputy Director of the State Administration of Work Safety Sun Huashan told reporters.

Experience of earlier coal mine disasters shows hope for those missing miners to come out alive is very slim, he said.

The blast occurred at 10:47 hrs (0817 hrs IST) yesterday (Oct 20, 2004) in Daping Mine of Zhengmei Group which is located in Xinmi of Henan Province, according to local coal mine safety administration.

When the tragedy occurred, there were more than 400 people at work. More than 290 people managed to escape while 148 others were trapped in the mine.

Sun said Chinese leaders have launch an all-out effort to rescue the miners and a special team led by heads of the Administration has been sent to the site of the blast.

Rescue workers are at the site. So far, 56 people have been confirmed dead, but more details regarding the tragedy was unavailable. The rescue work is still on, Xinhua news agency reported.

Chinese coal mines are notorious for their high accident rate. Thousands of miners die each year in mine explosions and flooding.