Rescue efforts are underway after a coal mine was flooded by mud, leaving one dead and 19 others trapped in northwest China's Qinghai Province on Saturday.

The accident happened around noon when 21 people were working in the mine located in Gangca County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, said the provincial emergency management department.

Two miners were lifted to the ground, including one who was confirmed dead, while the rest remained trapped, the department said.

The local fire and rescue department has mobilized 32 fire engines and 120 fire fighters to participate in rescue work.

China's Ministry of Emergency Management has sent a work team to Qinghai to guide rescue efforts. The team was led by Huang Yuzhi, vice minister of emergency management and head of the National Mine Safety Administration.

Huang Ming, minister of emergency management, ordered an investigation into the accident, and called on local authorities nationwide to intensify safety supervision to prevent occurrence of major accidents.

Data shows that the mine was put into operation in September 2009, with a designed production capacity of 900,000 tonnes a year.