(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-16 20:13

TAIYUAN - One miner who had been previously reported missing was confirmed dead in a flooded colliery in north China's Shanxi Province, bringing the death toll to eight, local authorities said on Monday.

The flooding occurred in Yutian Coal Mining Co. Ltd. in Ningwu County at about 11 p.m. Friday when 14 miners were working underground, according to the provincial work safety watchdog.

Five managed to escape on their own. Another one was rescued and then sent to a local hospital.

The mine is a licensed one with an annual production capacity of 150,000 tonnes, local authorities said.

Police have put the mine's management into custody and frozen related bank accounts.