Nine miners were trapped in a coal mine in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, after it was flooded on Friday. No deaths were reported.

 

The No. 3 shaft of the Yaotou Coal Mine near Chengcheng County, was suddenly flooded at 11:40 A.M., trapping nine miners working underground, according to sources with the local government.

 

Eight pumps have been used to help drain the flooded shaft as the cause of the accident is under investigation.

 

The local government has set up five working teams to supervise the rescue, logistics, investigation, and deal with the problems that may arise with the accident.

 

The coal mine, 20 kilometers from the county, is a private mine with an annual coal production of 60,000 tons.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 27, 2007)