A coal mine flood that killed nine people and left one missing in east China's Shandong Province was caused by illegal mining, a local government said Sunday, adding that search and rescue efforts are still under way.
The flood occurred around 9 a.m. Thursday at a mine in the city of Zhangqiu, according to the press office of the municipal government of Jinan, which administers Zhangqiu.
The mine's owner and other people involved in the incident have been detained by police.
A further investigation into the flood is under way.
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