The eight people killed in an iron mine explosion in north China's Hebei Province have been identified, a company source said on Sunday.

The dead and six injured were all staff members from Wenzhou Tongye Construction Engineering Company based in east China's Zhejiang Province, said the source with Hebei Iron and Steel GroupCo. Ltd.

A total of 66 workers were distributing explosives 200 meters underground at Shirengou mine of Hebei Iron and Steel Group in Zunhua city, Hebei, when the blast occurred at about 11:00 AM on Saturday.

Fifty-two workers escaped. Six died at the scene, while another two died on the way to the hospital. The six injured were in stable condition at the hospital.

The licensed Wenzhou company has signed mining contracts with Shirengou mine since 2005, the source said.

The Shirengou mine has suspended operation to enhance safety.

(Xinhua News Agency July 12, 2009)