5 dead, 17 trapped in flooded coal mine

Rescuers race against time on Monday to pump water from a flooded coal mine in Qujing, Yunnan province, where 22 miners were trapped underground. [Photo/Xinhua]

Another four bodies were retrieved on Thursday after 22 miners were trapped in a flooded coal mine on April 7 in southwest China's Yunnan province, rescuers said.

According to a spokesman with the emergency response and rescue headquarters, rescuers found four bodies in the pit of Xiahaizi coal mine in Qilin district in Qujing city around 1:00pm, raising the death toll to five.

The accident happened at 4:50am on April 7 while 26 miners were underground. Four were rescued. Investigators believe the flooding was caused by an explosion.

Rescuers are continuing to search for the other 17 miners.