The rescue headquarters confirmed the division had received a flood alarm three hours before the accident on Sunday, but the person who picked up the phone had just woken up and took no action.

As is standard procedure for disasters with more than 30 fatal casualties, State and provincial leaders, as well as top SAWS officials, rushed to the site on Sunday night. They were followed by hundreds of staff from the mine, rescuers, medical staff, police officers and dozens of media reporters.

Angry relatives of miners gather outside Wangjialing Coal Mine as rescuers attempt to save victims of the disaster. [Associated Press]

However, the accident has prompted staff at Wangjialing Coal Mine to consider their future. Hao Xuezhong, 28, who joined the division's eighth unit three months ago, said his wife asked him to quit after Sunday's flooding.

"I don't think I'll feel comfortable going down there anymore," said the Xiangning native, who spends about 12 hours a day underground. The rookie earns around 3,000 yuan (US$440) a month and expects to double that income in a few months' time. "Everyone in this business knows the risks. No mine can be absolutely accident-free, but a flooding of this scale is unheard of. This is most likely a negligent accident," he said.