China's top leaders order all-out effort to save 153 trapped miners

153 people are trapped in a coal mine in north China's Shanxi Province.

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang (1st R, front) oversees the search and rescue operation at the site of a flooding accident of Wangjialing Coal Mine, sitting astride Xiangning County of Linfen City and Hejin City of Yuncheng City, in north China's Shanxi Province, on March 29, 2010. The number of people trapped underground after the flooding accident at Wangjialing Coal Mine was revised -- for a second time -- to 153 from 123, rescuers said late Sunday night.(Xinhua/Yan Yan)

The group became stuck after a large amount of underground water rushed into the area they were working in on Sunday. That portion of the mine is currently under construction. An initial investigation shows a total of 261 workers were in the mine pit, when the flood occurred Sunday afternoon. 108 workers managed to escape.

President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao have ordered local authorities to spare no efforts to save the trapped miners, and guard against secondary accidents.

The mine is affiliated with a state-owned coal company, and covers about 180 square kilometers, bordering Xiangning County and the city of Hejin.