5 dead, 17 trapped in flooded coal mine

QUJING - Another four bodies were retrieved on Thursday after 22 miners were trapped in a flooded coal mine on April 7in 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 pm, raising the death toll to five.

The accident happened at 4:50 a.m. 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.