At least eight workers were killed and six others injured Saturday in an explosion at an iron mine in north China's Hebei Province, local authorities said.

A total of 66 workers of Hebei Iron and Steel Group Co. Ltd were distributing explosives 200 meters underground at Shirengou mine in Zunhua city, Hebei, when the blast occurred at about 11 a.m., according to the provincial work safety administration.

Fifty-two workers escaped. Six died at the scene, while another two died on the way to the hospital, the administration said.

The other six people injured were being treated in the hospital. Doctors said they were in stable conditions.

Work safety officials and police were investigating the cause of the blast.

(Xinhua News Agency July11, 2009)