HEFEI - Five people have been confirmed dead and one missing in a coal mine gas accident that occurred Wednesday in East China's Anhui province, local authorities said Thursday.

The accident occurred around 10:30 am in the privately-owned Wunan Coal Mine in Huaibei city, sources with the municipal publicity department said.

A preliminary investigation showed that six people were working underground at the time of the accident. Five people have been confirmed dead and one remained missing early Thursday morning, the sources said.

Rescue efforts for the missing person are continuing.

The Huaibei municipal government has ordered an overall production suspension at local coal mines.

A further investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.