JINAN, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- A gold mine accident in east China's Shandong Province claimed seven lives on Saturday, local authorities said on Monday.

According to the emergency management department of Zhaoyuan City, a cage-fall accident occurred in a shaft at Canzhuang gold mine at 8:50 a.m. Saturday, resulting in the deaths of seven people.

Investigations into the cause of the accident and the suspected concealment of the accident have been launched.