Coal mine in north China floods, trapping 12 miners

BEIJING—A coal mine in northern China flooded and trapped 12 miners, the country’s safety watchdog said July 3.

The accident happened around 11 p.m. Saturday in the coal-rich province of Shanxi, west of Beijing.

The State Administration of Work Safety said in an online statement that 94 miners were working underground in the locally state-owned mine and the other 82 were rescued.

China’s mines had long been the world’s deadliest, but safety improvements have reduced deaths in recent years.

Reports have emerged that rescuers have made contact with some of the miners trapped underground.