Four workers were killed by poisonous fumes after a blast in a lead-zinc mine in southwest China's Yunnan Province Monday, said a local government official.

The accident occurred at 3:00 AM when explosives were used during the digging process in the mine at Xiaohe Township, Qiaojia County, said Yu Youqi, deputy head of the County government.

The four workers, who worked underground in the shaft, died of suffocation by the poisonous fumes, Yu said.

The workers were confirmed dead at 5:00 PM when their bodies were recovered, he said.

The mine is owned by Yunnan Haolong Industrial Group Co., Ltd.

(Xinhua News Agency October 27, 2009)