CHANGSHA - Seven miners suffocated in a mine accident in Central China's Hunan province, a local official said Tuesday.

The fatal accident occurred on Monday morning when four workers were trapped in a manganese mine under construction while conducting examination work underground, said the official at the Lingling district government, Yongzhou city.

Four others tried to rescue them but were trapped too. All the eight were pulled out of the mine Monday afternoon. One was rescued, the other seven died despite doctors' efforts.

The survivor is in a stable condition in hospital. The cause of the accident is under investigation.