A colliery gas outburst killed 14 people and injured four in southwest China's Yunnan Province, local sources said on Saturday.

The accident occurred at 8:40 PM on Friday at the Shuidongping coal mine in Zhaotong City when 18 miners were working underground.

Rescuers found all the 14 bodies at the spot. The four injured were in stable condition.

A preliminary investigation revealed the colliery, with a designed annual production capability of 60,000 tons, was a fully-licensed private enterprise.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

(Xinhua News Agency March 15, 2008)