The death toll of an explosion at a coal mine in central China's Henan Province last Wednesday rose to 10, with 18 others being injured, local government sources confirmed on Monday.

The blast occurred in a coal mine in Yegou Village of Huangdao Township in Jiaxian County when 66 miners were working underground.

However, the mine owners claimed after the accident that only five miners were killed and the rest survived the accident, seven of whom suffered slight injuries.

The county government carried out further investigation on the accident and discovered that the mine owners presented false information on the death toll, which is officially confirmed by press time to be at least 10. In addition, the number of the injured rose to 18.

The colliery was run by Daliushan Coal Company, a subsidiary of Henan Yuantian Corporation.

The county government will punish the coal mine owners and close the mine after the investigation completes.