Six miners who were trapped underground after a rock-burst accident at a coal mine on Thursday were confirmed dead on Friday morning at the Qianqiu coal mine in Sanmenxia, Henan province, people.com.cn reported.

The burst occurred at 11:18 am on Thursday in an 80-meter-long tunnel where 18 miners were working underground. Six were trapped as 12 others were able to be lifted to the surface, according to the rescue headquarters.

A 1.9-magnitude earthquake hit the mine, the report said. The incident is still under investigation.

qixin@chinadaily.com.cn