Rescue continues after mine fire traps 13

A rescuer works at the site of a coal mine in which a fire broke out in Benxi City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 5, 2016. The mine in Benxi City caught fire early on Monday morning and has trapped 13 people underground. A total of 150 rescuers have been dispatched. Rescuers have been close to the ignition point by 1:00 p.m. Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

BENXI, Liaoning, July 5 -- Rescuers are rushing to find 13 miners trapped by a fire that broke out underground in the early hours of Monday in northeast China's Liaoning Province.

The miners may still be alive as the shaft is connected to other nearby shafts, ensuring ventilation, said Hao Chijun, head of the work safety administration of Benxi City and organizer of the rescue at the site.

"We are racing against time," he said.

The mine in Xihu District, Benxi City, caught fire around 3 a.m. on Monday, trapping the miners about 500 meters underground.

Rescuers have reached around 360 meters under the surface, but toxic gas from the fire, temperatures up to 60 degrees Celsius and low visibility have hampered the progress, Hao said.

The State Administration of Work Safety said the fire was caused by illegal mining and urged local authorities to guard against secondary accidents.