There were 76 people working in Guzhou Weifeng Mining’s underground mine in China's Shanxi Province when groundwater gushed into the coal mine at around 7pm last Wednesday.

Nearly 1000 rescuers are working to free the five miners that were unable to escape the flood, according to Xinhua.

Factors such as narrow shafts and excessive silt are complicating rescue efforts, as water continues to flow into the shafts.

More than 5000 cubic meters of water had been pumped out of the mine as of Friday.

Rescuers have drilled a tunnel to the underground shaft where it is believed the miners are trapped and are trying to make contact with them and provide them with food.