The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Beijing

Six people were confirmed dead in a flooded mine in southern China, state media said Tuesday, as hundreds of rescue workers scrambled to save 30 others still trapped deep underground.

The fatalities were reported a day after the Nadu mine in Guangxi Zhuang region flooded suddenly, the Xinhua news agency said.

A total of 56 were at work in the mine at the time of the disaster, the agency said earlier, citing the head of a rescue team.

Seven managed to escape immediately, while rescuers extricated another 13 during the night, according to Xinhua.

Rescuers told Xinhua earlier Tuesday they had managed to establish contact with 12 of the trapped miners.

They were about 2,000 metres (6,600 feet) from the mouth of the mine, and a lack of oxygen made it unlikely they would have the strength to get out by themselves.

Rescuers were trying to get mineral water and porridge to the trapped miners, Xinhua said. It did not say how, but the most likely method would be via a tube.

It was not clear whether the six people confirmed dead were among the batch of 12 that rescuers had intially made contact with.