Kabul, June 10 (IANS) At least 16 workers were killed in a coal mine blast at Dara-e-Suf Bala district of Afghanistan's northern Samangan province, police said on Wednesday.

Provincial Police Chief Safiullah told Xinhua: "The tragic incident happened on Tuesday afternoon and so far six bodies have been recovered and operations for the recovery of the remaining 10 have been in continuation."

Meanwhile, locals said that more than 30 workers were present during the explosion.

However, Deputy Provincial Governor Sifatullah Samangani blamed illegal digging, lack of safety measures and necessary instruments to the workers for tragic incidents inside the coal mines.

Overlooking safety measures and illegal digging in the past years also claimed the lives of miners, the official said.

--IANS sdr/