Eight people were killed and seven injured after an iron ore mine collapsed in east China's Fujian Province Friday afternoon, local authorities said Saturday.

The cave-in was triggered by a nearby landslide at around 1:30 p.m. Friday in Peifeng Township, Yongding County. The injured people had been sent to the hospital, but two of them were discharged as of Saturday morning, according to a statement from the county government.

The police were hunting down its three owners who had fled after the accident. The mine had been under illegal operation, the statement said.

The police were identifying the killed people. A further investigation on the cause of the accident was under way, it added.

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