Rescuers are trying to save 11 people trapped underground after the collapse of a shaft ceiling in a coal mine being constructed in Datong, a city in Shanxi Province, early on Monday, local officials said.

Officials at the provincial Coal Mine Safety Supervision Bureau said that a 40-meter-long section of the ceiling gave way suddenly at about 12:40 AM.

The 11 workers were engaged in boring operations underground at the time.

According to experts, the collapse might be the result of mining operations and geological movement in the surrounding area.

Datong is a major coal production base in China. Tashan colliery, where the accident occurred, belongs to the Datong Coal Mine (Group) Company.

(Xinhua News Agency March 29, 2005)