(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-17 19:44

Kunming -- A tunnel at a hydropower station in the southwestern Yunnan Province collapsed on Saturday morning, leaving eight workers trapped, a local government spokesman said.

The accident happened at about 5:20 am at a water diversion tunnel of the Dayingjiang hydropower station in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, said a spokesman for the prefecture government.

According to initial investigations, the cave-in was about 500 meters from the place where the workers were trapped. It was still unknown whether the collapse was connected to Monday's earthquake in southwest China or its aftershocks.

Rescuers said voices of the trapped could be heard so they might be still alive.

The eight workers' have been identified.

Dozens of police officers were involved in the rescue operation. An investigation has begun.