25 trapped in China mine collapse

At least 25 people were trapped as a gypsum mine collapsed in China's Shandong province on Friday, the authorities said.

At least 29 people were working in the shaft when the mine collapsed around 7.56 a.m. (local time) at the gypsum in Pingyi county, Xinhua cited a county government spokesman as saying.

Four had been lifted above ground, the spokesman said.

Rescuers were struggling to reach six others whose locations have been confirmed, while the other 19 remain missing, the spokesman said.

The accident was caused by another collapse that hit a neighbouring gypsum goaf, he said.