4 killed in SW China coal mine explosion

CHENGDU - Four people have been confirmed dead and four others were injured after a coal-mine gas burning in Southwest China's Sichuan province on Sunday.

The accident happened around 11 am at a coal mine in Xiaohe Township of Weiyuan County, when eight miners were carrying out a routine safety check, according to the county's information office.

Five miners were rescued around noon, but one died in a local hospital. Three others who had been trapped were found at 7:20 pm, but later died in hospital.

The injured four are in a stable condition, according to the office.

An investigation into the cause of the gas burning is underway.

Weiyuan is about 200 kilometers from the provincial capital of Chengdu.