It is reported that the death toll of a coal mine blast in central China’s Henan province rose to 42 on Wednesday with 37 other workers still trapped.

The accident happened at around 1 AM on Tuesday in Xinhua District of Pingdingshan city. A total of 93 people were working in the pit when the accident happened, 14 of who managed to escape.

A preliminary investigation showed illegal mining was to blame for the accident. The township run colliery, which produces 150,000 tonnes of coal annually, was undergoing an overhaul and had not been allowed to resume production by the city government.

The accident has aroused the attention of top leadership, including President Mr Hu Jintao and Premier Mr Wen Jiabao. Vice Premier Mr Zhang Dejiang arrived in Pingdingshan city with a government delegation on Tuesday.

As per reports, coal mine disasters took 1,699 lives in Henan Province in the first eight months of this year.