7 killed in illegal mining incident in Chongqing

Seven people were found dead in an abandoned mine after rainfall triggered flooding in Chongqing, local police said on Monday night.

Police in Youyang Tujia and Miao autonomous county said in a statement that they received a report on Saturday that people had gone missing in a sealed and abandoned mine near the border between Youyang and Xiushan counties.

During the search, police found seven bodies inside the mine and uncovered an illegal mining operation, arresting 21 people involved.

A preliminary investigation found that the victims drowned when rainfall caused a sudden rise in water levels while they were mining illegally, police said.

The case remains under investigation, and those responsible will be held accountable in accordance with the law.