CHANGSHA - Five local officials have been sacked in wake of last Saturday's deadly coal mine gas explosion in Hunan province, sources with the local procuratorate confirmed Wednesday.

The five officials include Duan Xiaohua, head of the Sandu township in the city of Chenzhou, where the accident took place, Liu Dongya, deputy head of the town, and another three officials involved in coal mine safety in the township.

Nine people were killed after the gas explosion occurred around 1:30 pm last Saturday at a coal mine in Sandu township, Zixing city under the jurisdiction of Chenzhou.

The mine, with an annual production capacity of 60,000 tonnes, is undergoing technological renovation.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation.