XI'AN, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Five people have been trapped underground a coal mine pit after a mine accident Monday in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, local authorities said.

The accident occurred about 9:50 a.m. at the Guantun coal mine of the Hualong Mining Co., Ltd. in the city of Yan'an, the city's publicity department said, without elaborating on what kind of accident it was.

Rescuers are racing to reach the trapped coal mine workers.

An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.