Rescuers have been forced to suspend efforts to rescue 29 trapped miners from a flooded iron ore mine in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

They stopped pumping out water and dredging silt from the shaft due to a sudden rise of the water level from more water gushing into the tunnel.

Rescuers have been evacuated from the mine, according to one worker, and the rescue management headquarters were discussing a new strategy.

But the 29 trapped miners still have chances of survival, said rescuers.

The flooding occurred early Wednesday in the Haolaigou Iron Ore Mine in Donghe District of Baotou, trapping 35 miners underground.

Six of the 35 trapped miners were rescued on Thursday and are described as "in good shape" in the Baotou Central Hospital.

The cause of the flooding remains unclear.

(Xinhua News Agency January 20, 2007)