The cave-in was triggered by a landslide in Peifeng Township, Yongding County, according to a statement from the county government.

Police have detained one of the mine's three owners who had fled and tried to cover up the accident, Xinhua news agency reported.

The government was unaware of the accident until it was reported by local residents. Investigators said the mine was being illegally operated. The eight victims were identified as workers from Jiangxi, Sichuan, Guizhou, Jiangsu and Fujian provinces.