Eight people died and four were injured in a coal mine gas ignition in southwest China's Guizhou Province on Saturday.

The local administration of coal mine safety said the accident took place at an illegally-run mine in the county of Nayong.

The bodies of all the dead miners were found at around 4:00 AM on Sunday and the four injured are being treated in hospital.

The provincial government reiterated an order that all illegal coal mines in Guizhou should immediately stop production and close.

An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.

(Xinhua News Agency September 3, 2006)