HARBIN -?Twenty-six miners remain trapped underground after an illegal coal mine in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province flooded on Tuesday, according to the local government.

The flood occurred while 45 miners were working in a pit belonging to Hengtai Coal Mining Co., Ltd. in the city of Qitaihe, a spokesman with the provincial work safety administration said.

The spokesman said that while 19 miners managed to escape, 26 others remain stranded in the pit.

Rescue efforts are under way, he said.

The flooded pit was part of a smaller mine that was illegally operating, as it was supposed to halt production and be integrated into a larger mine before resuming operations, the spokesman said.

China has tried to close many of its smaller mines in recent years in order to improve safety and efficiency in the mining industry.

Following the accident, Huang Yuzhi, deputy chief of the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety, led a team to the flooded pit to direct the rescue efforts.

The administration has ordered local authorities to verify the number of miners currently trapped in the pit. The administration will conduct a joint investigation with the State Administration of Work Safety to find the cause of the accident and punish any individuals or companies who are found to have violated laws and regulations in relation to the accident.