Rescuers in Qujing, Yunnan province, are working to free 22 coal miners who were trapped underground in a mine flood on Monday, local authorities said.

At 4:50 am, a mining zone of the Xiahaizi Coal Mine in the city's Qilin district was flooded while 26 miners were working. Only four miners managed to escape.

Rescuers, including officials from the provincial Mine Safety Department, transported pumps to the mine in the hope that the underground water could be drained and the workers rescued.