An Afghan official says at least six coal miners have been killed when an explosion in a coal mine caused two separate tunnels to collapse in northern Samangan province.

Sefatullah Samangani, the deputy provincial governor, said Tuesday that another miner was wounded in the collapse, which occurred on Monday in the remote Dar-i-Suf district.

The deputy governor says miners in the area are predominantly poor, local day laborers who have no other options to make a living.

He added that miners in these areas work without proper equipment or knowledge of safety measures.