At least 12 miners went missing after an explosion occurred in a colliery located in central China's Henan Province on Friday.

The blast ripped through the Shunli Coal Mine in Baofeng County of Pingdingshan City at about 8:50?AM while the miners were repairing the shaft, according to initial investigations.

Rescuers and police officers are struggling to get into the pit after clearing up the entrance.

The mine holds a legal business license. It has been undergoing technological renovations this year in accordance with the government's order to improve production safety.

No more details are available to date.

(Xinhua News Agency August 31, 2007)