Gas leak in mine in central China kills 18 miners

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a miner receives medical treatment after being rescued from the Jilinqiao coal mine in Huangfengqiao Township, Youxian county, central China's Hunan province, Monday, May 8, 2017. A gas leak in the coal mine killed more than a dozen people, local authorities said Monday. (Li Ga/Xinhua via AP) (The Associated Press)

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a miner receives medical treatment after being rescued from the Jilinqiao coal mine in Huangfengqiao Township, Youxian county, central China's Hunan province, Monday, May 8, 2017. A gas leak in the coal mine killed more than a dozen people, local authorities said Monday. (Li Ga/Xinhua via AP) (The Associated Press)

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a medical staff member gestures next to a rescuer as they prepare to enter the Jilinqiao coal mine in Huangfengqiao township, Youxian county, central China's Hunan province, Monday, May 8, 2017. A gas leak in the coal mine killed more than a dozen people, local authorities said Monday. (Li Ga/Xinhua via AP) (The Associated Press)

Chinese state media says a gas leak in a coal mine in central China has killed 18 people.

The gas leak happened on Sunday morning when miners were working in the shaft of the mine in Youxian county in Hunan province.

Xinhua said Monday that rescuers managed to bring 37 miners to safety but 18 died.

Xinhua says police have detained unspecified people pending an investigation.

China is the world's largest producer and consumer of coal. Its mining industry has long been one of the world's deadliest, with hundreds of deaths annually, even as China has tried to improve standards by shutting older, smaller mines.