At least four people were killed and 12 others injured in a coal mine explosion in China’s southwestern Sichuan Province.

The accident occurred last night in Xunsi township of Junlian County in Yibin city, causing a three-storey house to collapse, local officials said.

The 12 injured have been hospitalised for medical treatment, while twenty-six others stayed in hospital for further medical check up, Xinhua news agency reported.