Twelve miners are confirmed dead following an explosion at a colliery early on Wednesday in Hengyang, a city in central China's Hunan Province, the local government said.

The accident, which was reported at 1:00 AM, was thought to have been caused by illegal use of explosives, said officials with the provincial workplace safety administration.

They said most victims were locals of Hengyang. Rescue efforts ended at 7:30 AM.

The administration has shut down the state-owned Yumin Mine in Changning county of Hengyang.

The mine is designed to produce up to 300,000 tons a year, but actual output is estimated at 148,000 tons this year.

(Xinhua News Agency December 13, 2006)