Eight people were trapped when a colliery was flooded in northeast China's Liaoning Province, the local government confirmed Tuesday.

The accident was reported at the Dahenan Colliery in Huazi Township in Dengta, a city about 50 kilometers south of the provincial capital Shenyang.

A spokesman of the provincial work safety administration said reports of the flood were received at 11:30 AM and it was not clear whether the victims were still alive.

He did not give the exact time of the accident. Rescue work is underway.

(Xinhua News Agency November 14, 2006)