Eleven people are trapped underground after a mine flood Monday, local authorities said.

The accident happened at 12:40 a.m. when a mine controlled by Biyang County Shunda Mining Co., Ltd. in Zhumadian City of central China's Henan Province was flooded, an official of Zhumadian municipal government said.

Rescue work has started and an investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.

The deputy county's head named Wang Xinke who was in charge of work safety has been removed, said an official of Zhumadian municipal government.