An explosion in gas-filled mine has already claimed the lives of 43 people while 3 miners are still unaccounted for.

The death toll rose to 43 as the disaster become the worst accident of the year in the industry that has become increasing riskier in recent years. The blast happed at the Xiaojiawan Coal Mine in Panzhihua city in the southwestern province of Sichuan on Wednesday. The mine is owned by the Zhengjin Industry and Trade Company Ltd.

Rescue workers say that there are slim chances of finding survivors because they were located at the center of the explosion at the mine. A total of 154 miners were working at the mine at the time of the explosion and rescue teams have pulled out 108 survivors.

The police have already arrested the owner of the mine and the government in the state has ordered a safety check on all coal mines. The government has said that the mines that are found with safety issues will be shut down.

The accident is the worst mine accident in the country since November 2009. The official Xinhua News Agency is reporting that the rescue work is difficult due to the high temperatures in the mine and dense carbon monoxide.