Rescue operation is continuing for the 14 miners trapped after a coal mine in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province was flooded on Saturday.

46 rescuers are working underground. And another hundred are helping on the ground with 5 pumps in operation. A total of 22 miners were working below when the accident happened late Saturday night.

By noon the next day, eight had been rescued. Among them four are still hospitalized. Local authorities said the flooded colliery was a licensed site. But preliminary investigation shows that the cause of the flooding is mining beyond approved areas. The owner of the site has been detained and his assets frozen.

Liu Wenbo, Dep. Director of Rescue Operation, said, "Preliminary investigation shows that the owner gave orders to dig in a nearby coal mine which was closed two years ago, causing the flooding. The water is still leaking through."

Wang Xiankui, governor of Heilongjiang Province, said, "The most professional rescue team has been sent here. We'll provide whatever the miners down there need. We'll save them at all costs."

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