Death toll rises to 8 in coal mine accident in China's Sichuan

The death toll rose to eight after a coal mine accident in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Wednesday, according to the local emergency management authority.

At approximately 10am on Wednesday, a total of eight workers were trapped during an air shaft sealing operation in the coal mine in the Wutongqiao District of the city of Leshan in Sichuan.

As of 2pm on Wednesday, seven people were confirmed dead. By 7pm Wednesday, one more person was confirmed dead and search and rescue efforts for the accident were ended, said the emergency management bureau of the Wutongqiao District.

The accident's cause is under investigation.