One worker has been injured and 29 others are missing after a coal mine blast on Tuesday morning in East China's Anhui province, local authorities said.

A total of 39 people were working in the Dongfang coal mine in the province’s Huainan city, when the accident occurred at about 3:58 a.m, according to the municipal government. Ten escaped with only one sustaining injuries while the rest were still missing.

The city is a major coal production base in China. On June 30 and July 1, respectively, the municipal government ordered all the local coal mining companies to suspend production due to forecast of floods, but the Dongfang mine refused to follow the orders.

The private mine has a production capacity of 90,000 metric tons per year.

An investigation into the cause of the blast has been launched as authorities continue the search mission.

Photo taken with a mobile phone shows rescuers at the accident site after gas outburst occurred in Dongfang Coal Mine in Xiejiaji istrict of Huainan city, East China's Anhui province, Aug. 19, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]