China mine blast death toll rises to 104

Beijing: The death toll from a coal mine gas blast in north China has risen to 104 after rescuers found 34 bodies overnight, state television reported on Friday.

The explosion hit the Xinyao mine in Shanxi province late on Wednesday, but the managers did not report it until five hours later.

Police were trying to confirm the exact number of people working underground, but it had "seriously exceeded safety limits", China Central Television reported.

Rescuers were searching for more victims. There were 15 survivors.

Initial investigations showed the explosion was caused by mining along a coal seam that had not been authorised for production, Chinese media said.

Police have arrested the mine's head and legal representative, suspended its licence and frozen its bank accounts, the Xinhua news agency said.