Preliminary investigation has attributed the recent coal mine flood in southwest China's Guizhou Province to spills of hidden groundwater in limestone caves in the mine, according to geological experts.

The flooded coal mine has a complex geological structure and varying kinds of limestone in its upper part, which is susceptible to water leakage, said experts.

The flooding occurred at around 12:30 hours Sunday when 80 miners were working underground in Tianchi Colliery, located in Sinan County of Guizhou Province.

Forty-four workers managed to escape after the accident occurred, while 36 others remained trapped underground Tuesday afternoon.

Source: Xinhua