Thirteen people died after a capsule plunged into a pit at an iron ore mine in China's eastern Shandong province Thursday, official state media reported.

The accident happened at the Shimen mine in the city of Linyi, Xinhua news agency said, quoting local authorities.

A search had been completed and 13 people were confirmed dead, said a provincial government official, according to the report.

Initial investigations suggested the capsule fell after a steel rope broke, the official said.

The provincial government had set up an investigation team and a further probe was under way.

Accidents are common in China's notoriously dangerous mining industry.