A colliery gas explosion in southwest China's Sichuan Province killed 11 people, injured six and left one person missing Friday, the local government said.

The accident happened at 1:20 p.m. at Diaoyutai Coal Mine in Junlian county, in the city of Yibin, the provincial work safety administration said in a press release.

The six injured workers were being treated in hospital and rescue work continued Friday night.

The cause of the accident was under investigation.