Rescue teams were today battling to save miners trapped in a flooded mine amid rising water levels in India.

The workers were trapped when water flooded the illegal 300ft coal mine in the Umrangso area of northeastern Assam state on January 6.

Dozens of divers from the Indian army, navy, police, and disaster response force were racing to rescue the miners as one fatality was retrieved.

Footage shows rescuers being lowered into the pit using a crane.

Local government minister Kaushik Rai said: 'Army deep divers have found and retrieved one body from the flooded mine. The divers will go into the mine again to continue their search operations.'

He added that suction pumps were being delivered to the area by Indian Air Force helicopters.

Officials believe the miners had hit a water channel while digging. They believe at least nine people were trapped.

Three helmets, several slippers, and other belongings were collected from the scene.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the mine was operating illegally and had minimal safety measures.

He said: 'One individual, Punish Nunisa, has been arrested in connection with the case, and a formal complaint has been filed under the relevant provisions of the Mines and Minerals Act.'

Rescue operations were ongoing.

'Rat hole' coal mines are common in northeast India with its rich coal reserves. Accidents are frequent as most of the mines operate illegally with minimum regulations.