CHANGSHA -?A coal mine gas explosion killed two people, injured one and trapped another two in central China's Hunan Province Sunday, local authorities said.

The explosion occurred in a coal mine in Shaodong County at about 3 p.m. and trapped five miners immediately.

As of 8 p.m., three have been hoisted to the ground. Two were confirmed dead while the other was hospitalized for serious injuries.

Rescuers are still searching for the other two trapped in the shaft.