Local authorities said the flooded colliery was a licensed site operated by Furuixiang Coal Corp, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

This is not the first time Qitaihe has suffered a coal mine accident in recent years.

In November 2005, a gigantic explosion rocked a coal mine in the city, killing 171 miners and injuring 48.

An investigation by the State Council found the tragedy was caused by irregular use of dynamite. Eleven mine officials were criminally punished, and another 21 were given disciplinary or administrative penalties.

Qitaihe is well known for its rich mineral resources, especially coal. The city was established in 1958 with the primary goal of developing local mines.

The city is now the largest manufacturer of coking coal and coke in Northeast China and has about 400 million tons of coal and coke reserves, according to the city government.

In an attempt to diversify its economy from the heavy reliance on the mining industry, Qitaihe is carrying out an economic transformation, it said.

A series of coal mine accidents have occurred in the past three months, suggesting China is still being haunted by safety problems in its mines.

An explosion of gas and coal claimed 23 lives and injured five people in a mine in Liupanshui of Guizhou province on Nov 24.

The biggest mine accident this year occurred on Aug 29, when 48 people were killed and 54 injured in a gas explosion in a coal mine in Panzhihua, Sichuan province. The accident led to the detention of 14 people who were found responsible and the suicide of another person involved in the case.

Contact the writer at zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn