The death toll in a Friday coal mine accident in southwest China's Guizhou province rose to five Monday afternoon following the discovery of two more bodies.

Eighteen people were working underground when a gas explosion occurred

Friday afternoon at the Jinjia Coal Mine in Panxian county in the city of Liupanshui, killing five miners and leaving another eight missing.

About 300 rescuers are working around the clock to look for the missing miners.

An investigative team headed by the vice director of the provincial coal mine safety inspection bureau has been formed to look into the cause of the accident.

The team will also carry out a work safety inspection at the mine, as well as at Guizhou Panjiang Clean Coal Co. Ltd., the company that runs the mine, and the Guizhou Panjiang Group, the controlling shareholder of the company.

On November 24, 2012, a similar explosion hit the Xiangshui Coal Mine in Liupanshui, killing 23 people.

Both the Jinjia and Xiangshui coal mines are controlled by the Guizhou Panjiang Group.

Rescuers carry woods at the accident site after a coal and gas outburst occurred in Panxian county in the city of Liupanshui, southwest China's Guizhou Province, January 21, 2013.

 

 

A rescuer signs to leave the mine at the accident site after a coal and gas outburst occurred in Panxian county in the city of Liupanshui, southwest China's Guizhou Province, January 21, 2013.

 

 

Rescuers prepare to go down to the mine after a coal and gas outburst occurred in Panxian county in the city of Liupanshui, southwest China's Guizhou Province, January 21, 2013.