At least 63 miners have been killed in the Chenjiashan coal mine gas explosion in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province and more than 100 miners remained trapped underground.

The rescue operation is underway and 127 people have so far been brought safely to the surface, 45 of whom were suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning or superficial injuries, China Radio International reported Tuesday.

Head of the State Production Safety Bureau, Wang Xianzheng has reached the scene to guide the rescue work.

Experts say the temperature of the underground working sites is still very high, which seriously hinders the rescue efforts.

293 miners were working underground when a gas explosion occurred some 8,000 meters from the mine's entrance.