GUIYANG - Eighteen people were killed and five others remained trapped underground on Saturday after a gas and coal outburst in a coalmine pit in Southwest China's Guizhou province, local authorities said.

The accident occurred at around 11 am at the Xiangshui Coal Mine in Liupanshui city, which affiliated to Guizhou Panjiang Group.

Five workers are still trapped in the pit, sources with the Guizhou provincial government and the Panjiang Group confirmed.

As of 5:30 pm, five miners have been rescued and 18 others confirmed dead. Rescuers are searching for the trapped.

Cause of the accident is still under investigation.