Flash floods have trapped 69 workers in a coal mine in central China's Henan province, Chinese media has reported.

More than 100 miners were working at Zhijian mine, 200 km (120 miles) west of provincial capital Zhengzhou, when the incident occurred early on Sunday.

Flooding triggered by heavy rain poured into the mine through an aluminium mine pit and an old shaft, Xinhua news agency said.

Thirty-three people escaped, but the rest were trapped by the water.

Rescuers are trying to drill holes into the shaft where the miners are trapped to provide them with oxygen.

"The rescue operation is going on in an orderly way and the most important task is to try every effort to pump water for the time being," Xinhua quoted a rescue official as saying.

The state-owned mine, built in 1958, is operated by the Zhijian Mining company.

Deadly industry

China's mines are among the most dangerous in the world.

About 5,000 deaths are reported every year, but independent groups say the annual death toll is much higher.

The Chinese government has introduced legislation aimed at cracking down on illegal or unsafe mines, but mine owners and local officials are frequently accused of ignoring government regulations in search of greater profits.

Coal provides more than two-thirds of China's electricity and demand is huge, hampering progress at improving safety standards.

PHOTO CAPTION

Rescuers rest at the entrance of the Zhijian coal mine in Shanxian county, central China's Henan province July 30, 2007. (REUTERS)

BBC