Rescuers have recovered three bodies as of 6:00 PM on Saturday following a gas blast Thursday in a coal mine in China's far west Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, local authorities said.

Rescuers said there was no survival chance for the other two still missing for more than 50 hours after the blast. They were clearing shafts to recover the further two bodies.

As the underground channels are seriously damaged and contain dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide, rescue efforts have been hindered.

The accident occurred at 12:30 PM on Thursday in the Futong coal mine in Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, as 10 miners were fixing ventilation and water pipes. Five managed to escape.

The accident is under investigation.

(Xinhua News Agency August 9, 2009)