The accident happened at 22:10 on July 29 at a long wall using self-moving hydraulic frame ZH1600/16/24 of coal seam 12 of Hon Gai Coal Company under the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin).

The group of five coal miners were working when the accident happened, said local authorities.

Hearing about the news, leaders of Quang Ninh requested Vinacomin executives and managers to immediately deploy rescue work.

The search and rescue work was completed at 05:28 on July 30, and rescue forces retrieved five dead bodies from debris.

Relevant forces launched an investigation into the cause of the coal mine accident.

Over the past hours, a long spell of heavy rain has lashed Quang Ninh province, flooding parts of the locality. Many arteries have been inundated, and local residents have stayed up late coping with the flooding.

Meteorologists have warned that heavy rain this time could pose a high risk of landslides, especially at coal mines.

VOV