At least 10 people are trapped underground after a colliery flooded in Qinglong County of southwest China's Guizhou Province.

The accident took place at around 4 p.m. Wednesday in Qinglong County of Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, when at least 16 people were working underground, according to the provincial work safety administration.

Six people escaped unhurt, the administration said.

Wang Lin, head of the county, told Xinhua that the exact number of trapped people, including the head of the coal mine, was yet to be determined.

Rescue work is continuing, and cause of the accident is being investigated.

(Xinhua News Agency June 18, 2009)