Beijing: A gas explosion ripped through a coal mine in China's central province of Anhui last week, killing at least 87 miners, state radio said yesterday.

Two rescue workers were killed trying to save the miners trapped by the November 13 blast at the Panshan coal mine in Huainan city, the radio said. It did not give details.

A total of 123 people were in the mine at the time of the explosion, the radio said.

It said 36 were rescued, two of whom were seriously injured.

Officials could not be reached for comment.

Explosions and other accidents kill up to 10,000 Chinese miners a year, mainly at badly run village pits.

The government has vowed to sack directors of mines in which accidents kill 10 or more people.

Earlier this month, a gas explosion killed 24 miners and left 15 missing in the south-western province of Sichuan.