5 trapped in northeast China coal mine flooding

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - Five people were trapped underground following a coal mine flooding early Sunday in Heilongjiang province, located in northeastern China, local authorities said.

The incident took place around 4.30 am on Sunday (2030GMT Saturday) at the Datonggou coal mine, operated by Heilongjiang Fengyuan Mining Co in Jixi city, the Jixi publicity department said.

Local authorities have established a joint rescue command, and efforts to rescue the trapped workers are currently ongoing, according to state-run Xinhua News.