A shaft collapsed in an iron mine in central China, trapping eight miners 420 feet underground, a local official and the state media said Sunday.

Chinese rescuers pump water to rescue trapped miners from a collapsed iron mine in Anqing, central China's Anhui province May 14, 2008. The tragedy occurred early saturday when miners were working 420 feet underground when rocks, dust and water poured into the shaft, cutting off their escape and ventilation, according to a Xinhua report. It is not immediately known whether they are alive or not. [Xinhua]

Rescue workers were trying to pump water and mud from the Dalongshan Iron Mine near Anqing City, the Xinhua News Agency said. But it was not known whether the eight miners, trapped since Saturday, were still alive, said an official with the Dalongshan township government who only gave his surname, Li.

The miners were working 420 feet underground when rocks, dust and water poured into the shaft, cutting off their escape and ventilation early Saturday, Xinhua said.

The Anqing City government ordered all local mines closed for safety inspections, Xinhua said.