(XINHUA)

Family members attempt to call miners underground after an explosion at the Xingdong No.2 Mine in Pingdingshan, central China's Henan Province, on June 21.

The deadliest coalmine disaster in China this year killed 47 of 75 night shift miners at about 1:40 a.m. that day. Of 28 survivors, 25 were hospitalized. As of June 22, one had been discharged, 15 were in stable condition and the other nine were in serious conditions, said Xinhua News Agency.

Local officials said the coalmine was being illegally operated when the blast occurred. After the mine's operation license expired on June 6, the local government cut off its electricity supply.

The police have detained the owner of the coalmine for further investigation. Several officials who were thought responsible for the explosion have also been removed from office.