The first group of rescuers and divers last night 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 on Friday. Seven rescuers and four divers entered the mine, the state-run China Central Television reported. The first team is expected to explore conditions underground before more rescuers are sent.

Rescuers had cheered after hearing the tapping noises and possibly shouting. Television footage showed them tapping on pipes with a wrench, then cheering and jumping after hearing a response. They lowered pens and paper, along with glucose and milk, down metal pipes to the spot where the tapping was heard.

But nothing new was heard yesterday, said Wen Changjin, an official with the news centre set up at the site. The governor of the northern province of Shanxi had ordered rescuers to enter the mine.

It was not clear what risks rescuers would be taking by entering the Wangjialing mine, where 3,000 rescuers were working non-stop to pump out water. Wen said the water level underground had dropped by 5.4 metres.

Reporters for state television read out letters that had been sent underground to the trapped miners, urging them to be patient.