URUMQI -- A coal mine accident occurred in far West China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region late Friday night, causing an unspecified number of deaths and injuries, local authorities said Saturday.

In addition, more than 20 workers are still being trapped underground after the accident happened at about 11:30 pm at the coal mine in the Tiechanggou Township, Midong District, in the regional capital of Urumqi, a local government spokesman said.

The injured have been rushed to hospital. A search and rescue operation has been launched.

The spokesman did not specify the nature of the accident, and said the exact number of deaths is still being checked.

No further details were provided.