An explosion struck a coal mine early Monday in Weidong District, Pingdingshan City in central China's Henan Province, trapping 72 miners underground, the State Administration of Work Safety said in a statement.

The explosion occurred at the powder magazine of the Xingdong No.2 Mine around 1:40 a.m., the administration said Monday.

Two rescue teams have arrived and started rescue operation, the administration said.

The cause of the explosion is still unknown.

A low gas-concentration mine, the coal mine has an annual production capacity of 90,000 tonnes.

Luo Lin, chief of the State Administration of Work Safety, has led a working team to the scene to guide the rescue work, the administration said.