Twenty-six miners were confirmed dead as two lifters in a tin ore mine in central China's Hunan Province lost control, according to rescuers on Thursday.

Rescuers said that 19 miners were killed on the spot, and seven others failed emergency treatment.

There were 31 miners in the two lifters, which plunged because of brake failure at about 9:15 a.m. Five workers were injured in the accident, said the rescuers.

The tin ore mine in Lengshuijiang City is operated by the Shanxing Antimony Industry Co. Ltd.

Chen Zhaoxiong, vice governor of the province, is at the scene overseeing the effort to deal with the aftermath of the accident.

Investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.

The provincial government has ordered an immediate check of workplace safety throughout the province.

(Xinhua News Agency October 9, 2009)