The BBC reported rescuers had been pumping water and releasing explosive gas after a mine in Guangxi Zhuang caved in.

Nineteen miners are believed to be trapped in the mine about 390 metres underground.

In the Niupeng mine in Guizhou Province 21 miners have been confirmed trapped after heavy flooding seeped into the mine.

The BBC reported Xinhua news agency as saying high water levels have so far severely jeopardised the rescue effort at the Niupeng mine.

Back in 2009, 2600 Chinese miners reportedly died in mine related accidents.