At least 153 workers are trapped in a coal mine in north China's Shanxi Province. The group became stuck after a large amount of underground water rushed into the area where they were working.

 

An initial investigation shows a total of 261 workers were in the pit, when the flood happened Sunday afternoon. One hundred and eight were rescued safely.

Rescuers are struggling to save them, and local authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.

President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao have ordered local authorities to spare no effort to save those trapped and guard against secondary accidents.

Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang is at the site overseeing the search and rescue operation.

The mine is affiliated with a state-owned coal company, and covers about 180 square kilometers. It boasts more than 2.3 billion tons of coal reserves.

It is currently under construction and expected to produce 6 million tons of coal a year.