Two people died after a coal mine flooded in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on Sunday, local authorities said on Monday.
The accident occurred in Changfeng coal mine, Xinxing District of Qitaihe City, when eight miners were working underground. Six of them managed to escape from the shaft, according to a statement from the district government.
Yuan Changlong, owner of the coal mine, had attempted to conceal the accident, but locals reported it to local authorities about 3 p.m., according to the statement.
Yuan has been held by the police.
The coal mine has been targeted by an provincial overhaul on small collieries. It was ordered to stop production by the government, however, the owner asked the miners to go into the shaft for repair work without government permission.