BEIJING: Thirty-six workers remained trapped in a southern Chinese coal mine on Tuesday, a day after their shaft was flooded, state media reported.

A total of 56 people were at work in the Nadu mine in Guangxi region when the flood happened mid-afternoon on Monday, the Xinhua news agency said.

Seven managed to escape immediately, while rescuers dug out another 13 during the night, according to the agency.

Xinhua had initially reported that all 56 were trapped.

Rescuers told Xinhua early Tuesday they had managed to establish contact with 12 of the 36 trapped miners.

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

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.

Rescue teams were continuing Tuesday to pump water from the mine, while attempting to get in touch with the 24 unaccounted for.

China is the world's largest producer and consumer of coal, with demand rising alongside the boom in the nation's economy.

Nearly 3,800 lives were lost in Chinese coal mines last year, down 20 per cent from the year before, the government reported in January, but independent labour groups suspect the actual death toll is much higher.

- AFP/yb