Seven miners were killed and four others injured when fire broke out in a coal mine in central China's Henan Province on Friday morning, according to the local safety watchdog.

The fire started at 7:25 AM in Xing'an Colliery in Tianchi Town, Mianchi County, when 11 miners were working underground, according to the Henan Provincial Administration of Work Safety.

Firemen were at the scene by 8:00 AM but the blaze continues. Six miners were lifted out of the mine. Two were dead and four injured. The bodies of the other five dead miners have yet to be recovered.

Firefighting operations continue.

(Xinhua News Agency February 2, 2007)