7 killed in illegal mining incident in SW China

CHONGQING, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Seven people drowned after rainwater surged into a mine shaft where they were illegally mining in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, local police said Monday.

Police in Youyang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County said the victims were found in a closed, abandoned mine near the boundary between Youyang and Xiushan Tujia and Miao Autonomous County.

They also caught 21 people suspected of illegal mining during a search following reports of missing people at the mine on Saturday.

Further investigation is underway, the police said.