Beijning, April 12 (IANS): Twenty-two workers, who were trapped in a coal mine in southwest China's Yunnan province after a flash flood Monday, have not yet been rescued.

Rescue workers have able to pump out half the water from the Xiahaizi colliery in Qilin district of Qujing city, but no substantial progress made, Xinhua reported Saturday.

The workers were believed to be stranded at a depth of 1,876 metres,10 metres below the level of the flood water.

As of 8 a.m. Saturday, rescuers had drained a over 22,000 cubic metres of water from the pit, reducing the water level to about 4.5 metres from the previous 10 metres.

“One more pump was installed Saturday and a total of 12 pumps are now at work, draining 830 cubic metres of water per hour,” Luo Shixiong, secretary-general of Qujing's city government was quoted as saying.

Total 26 people were working in the mine when the flood occurred Monday. Four workers were rescued on the same day but rest are still trapped inside.