The first group of rescuers and divers today entered a flooded Chinese mine where 153 workers have been trapped for almost a week, but returned within hours and described the situation underground “very difficult.”

The first group of rescuers and divers today entered a flooded Chinese mine where 153 workers have been trapped for almost a week, while no further signs of life came from underground since tapping was heard yesterday.

Tapping has been heard coming from a flooded Chinese coal mine where 153 workers were trapped more than five days ago, a rescue official said today.