Beijing  - At least 26 people died after two lifts plunged down a shaft at a tin mine in the central Chinese province of Hunan, state media said Friday.

The lifts fell after the braking system failed while 31 miners were on board at the mine in Hunan's Lengshuijiang city on Thursday, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Rescuers said that 19 miners died instantly and seven died after emergency treatment failed to save them.

The other five miners were under treatment for injuries, the agency said without giving details.

A safety investigation was continuing at the tin mine, which was operated by Shanxing Antimony Industry Company, it said.

Accidents kill thousands of people annually in Chinese mines, most of them at coal mines.

The accidents are often triggered by outdated equipment and poor safety measures with many occurring at illegal mines. (dpa)