Sixty-nine Chinese miners trapped in a flooded shaft for more than three days have been pulled out alive.

The official Xinhua news agency said the miners, who were trapped in the state-owned Zhijian mine in Henan province's Shan County due to floods, were rescued on Wednesday.

There were 102 workers in the mine when it was flooded on Sunday.

Thirty-three managed to escape, while 69 were trapped in a section of submerged tunnels.

Earlier, rescuers had piped in oxygen and poured milk down the coalmine's ventilation to keep the men alive and buy time to save them.

The miners were unable to walk unassisted as they were brought out.

Some had to be carried on stretchers.

Footage broadcast on state-run television showed filthy men stumbling as they emerged from the mine wearing blindfolds to give their eyes time to adjust to daylight.

China's mines are known to be the most dangerous in the world with fatalities reported nearly every day in fires, explosions and floods despite government efforts to improve safety.

More than 4,700 workers were killed last year, according to official figures, although independent labour groups put the toll at up to 20,000 annually, with many accidents covered-up.

Deadly accidents are often blamed on mine owners who disregard safety rules and fail to invest in the required ventilation, fire control and other equipment.

PHOTO CAPTION

A trapped miner is led out of the Zhijian coal mine after being rescued in Shanxian county, central China's Henan province, August 1, 2007. (Reuters)