FUZHOU, June 28 -- Nine people died after they sneaked into and got trapped in an abandoned coal mine in east China's Fujian Province, local authorities said.

Rescuers said 12 people entered a closed mine in Yongding District, Longyan City on Saturday to dig coal. Nine entered first. When the rest three went down to the well, they smelled strong odour and came back. They phoned the police when the first nine did not show up.

Rescuers were sent to the mine but a high concentration of carbon monoxide slowed the process.

The rescuers found the nine bodies on Sunday.

A man surnamed Shen is suspected of organizing the 12-person theft team, and he has been arrested, Yongding government said.