China coal mine blast in Sichuan province kills 27

An explosion at a coal mine in China's south-west Sichuan province has killed at least 27 people, state media report.

The blast happened in Taozigou coal mine in the city of Luzhou, Xinhua news agency said.

More than 100 miners were working underground when the accident happened on Saturday afternoon, according to officials.

Of 81 people rescued, 16 were injured. It was the second deadly coal mine explosion in China in 24 hours.

On Friday, 12 miners were killed when gas from the Dashan mine in south-west Guizhou province exploded.

Chinese coal mines are notoriously dangerous despite officials efforts to improve safety standards.

In April a coal mine gas explosion in the north-eastern Jilin province killed 18 miners and injured 12 others.

More than 1,300 people were killed in mine accidents in 2012.

Deaths and injuries are often blamed on a failure to follow safety procedures.