Rio de Janeiro - An explosion in a Brazilian coal mine injured at least 25 people Monday, while two miners remained missing.

According to Civil Defence authorities in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, the accident in the mine in the town of Lauro Mueller happened around 4 am (0700 GMT) and was apparently caused by the explosion of the oxygen tank in a welding machine.

The blast caused the mine to collapse and initially buried 27 workmen, although civil defence and fire department rescuers managed to pull out 25 of them.

One of the injured reportedly suffered severe head wounds and was taken to hospital, where he was in serious condition. (dpa)