Five miners, who were missing after a coal mine explosion in northeast China's Jilin Province Friday, have little chance of survival although the rescue operation is continuing, local officials said Saturday.

An examination showed that the gas content exceeded ten percent, which is very dangerous to the workers, according to the local officials in charge of the rescue work.

The explosion occurred at a coal mine in Huajiao Township of Huadian City around 2:30 a.m. Friday when six miners were working underground. One managed to escape and the other five were missing.

After the accident, all the 37 coal mines in Huadian City were ordered to stop production and to conduct safety examinations, said Zhao Chungui, vice mayor of Huadian.

Further investigation is under way.

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