Eight people were killed in a coal mine explosion and two building collapses in northern China's Hebei Province, local work safety bureau said on Sunday.

A gas explosion occurred at 7:44 AM at Xuandong Coal Mine of Jinneng Group in Zhangjiakou City, killing at least two miners and trapping another two.

Rescuers were still trying to reach the trapped and the cause of the blast is being investigated.

Two wall collapses, one in Cangzhou City and another in Langfang City, killed six workers and injured one more on Saturday.

The provincial government has ordered an immediate work safety checkup to prevent similar fatal accidents from occurring.

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2006)