Rescue operations continue for the 22 people who remain trapped underground, after an explosion hit a coal mine in Qitaihe City in northeastern Heilongjiang province on Tuesday.

Rescuers work at the accident site in Qitaihe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 1, 2016. Rescuers have reached an area where 22 miners are believed to be trapped following a coal mine blast in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, rescue headquarters said Thursday. The explosion occurred at a private coal mine in Qitaihe City at 9 p.m. Tuesday, trapping 22 workers underground. (Xinhua)

Rescuers work at the accident site in Qitaihe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 1, 2016. Rescuers have reached an area where 22 miners are believed to be trapped following a coal mine blast in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, rescue headquarters said Thursday. The explosion occurred at a private coal mine in Qitaihe City at 9 p.m. Tuesday, trapping 22 workers underground. (Xinhua)

The flames in the shaft have been put out, and rescuers have entered the area where the 22 miners are believed to be trapped. But rescue efforts have been frustrated by debris that has piled up in some tunnels due to the blast.

There is still no news about the 22 missing miners.

The provincial government has demanded all mining companies in Heilongjiang province to suspend production for safety consolidation.