Rescuers have retrieved two bodies from a flooded coal mine in southwest China's Guizhou Province, and are still trying to reach seven others trapped at the site.
They have so far established contact with three of the miners, according to the county government.
Rescue equipment, including pumps, has been installed at the site, and some relatives of the trapped miners have arrived.
"A large amount of flood water and coal gangue has hampered the rescue work," said Wang Jiangping, vice governor of Guizhou Province at the site.
Wang said preliminary investigation showed illegal coal exploitation in the area was to blame for the accident, and the personnel responsible will be investigated.
Nine miners were trapped underground and 32 others lifted out of the shaft safely after a flood struck the mine in Weng'an County at around 10 p.m. on Friday.
The coal mine, reported to have an annual output of 90,000 tonnes, belongs to Yunda Coal Mine, which has obtained a production license from the authorities.
Further investigation of the accident is under way.
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