Zhaoyuan: Seven people were killed in a weekend accident in a gold mine in Shandong, eastern China, authorities said Monday.

According to Anadolu Agency, the emergency management department of the city of Zhaoyuan reported that the accident occurred in a shaft at the Canzhuang gold mine at 8.50 am (0050GMT) Saturday, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals.

Authorities have initiated an investigation into the cause of the accident and are also examining allegations that there may have been an attempt to cover up the incident.

Separately, an explosion took place Saturday at a biotech factory in northern China's Shanxi province, leading to the deaths of at least eight people.