Beijing ? Rescuers blasted through rock and debris today to try and reach 27 miners trapped after a massive landslide buried an iron ore plant and several homes in a valley in southwestern China, leaving 26 people dead and dozens missing.

The landslide buried the Jiwei Mountain iron ore mine and covered its two entrances with rocks Friday while 27 miners were still inside, the official Xinhua News Agency said. Authorities believe they could still be alive.

No official death toll has been released, but state broadcaster CCTV reported Saturday that 26 people were killed — 19 miners and seven staff from a mobile phone company. When asked to confirm the report, Chongqing government spokesman Ai Yang said no bodies had been found so far.

The landslide occurred in Wulong county, about 90 miles from resource-rich Chongqing city, where industrial accidents are common.

Rescuers attempted to reach the shaft where the miners are believed to be trapped by setting off explosives Saturday near one of the plant’s entrances, Xinhua said. More explosives were detonated today, CCTV said. Plans were under way to drill a 130 foot deep hole to give the miners air and send water and food down.