State media reported that 33 coal miners died in the explosion Monday at a coal mine in China's Chongqing region.
Two miners survived the blast at the privately-owned Jinshangou mine in Laisu township. Initially 13 bodies were recovered and rescuers worked to remove debris from the explosion in hopes of reaching additional survivors. But the bodies of the missing miners were located early Wednesday.
Authorities launched an investigation into the deadly explosion and safety officials said "those responsible must be strictly punished." Local officials also ordered the temporary shutdown of small coal mines in the region.
Earlier this year, Xinhua reported that China's National Energy Administration recorded 171 fatalities in 45 coal mine gas accidents in 2015.
