Five workers are trapped after a gold mine flooded in north China's Liaoning Province, an official with the provincial work safety administration said Monday.

The Pingfang Gold Mine, in Beipiao City, was flooded at 12:20 a.m. on Monday, said the official.

Rescuers were pumping out water and more pumps were being deployed.

An initial investigation by Liaoning Gold Administration showed the flooding occurred when workers accidentally dug through a discarded shaft by accident.

The administrations are still investigating the accident, the official said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 4, 2009)