DALIAN - All 12 people who were trapped by a tunnel cave-in in northeast China have been confirmed alive, a local official said Monday afternoon.

At least four ventilation holes have been dug, through which food, water and cell phones have been sent down to those trapped. Rescuers are digging an escape tunnel, the official said, and experts say they expect all 12 to be safely evacuated within 24 hours.

A tunnel under construction collapsed Monday morning and trapped 12 people in Dalian, a coastal city in Liaoning province, according to rescuers.

The accident occurred at Shengli Road of Dalian city.