Beijing ? The first group of rescuers and divers entered a flooded Chinese mine where 153 workers have been trapped for almost a week today, while no further signs of life came from underground since tapping was heard the previous day.

Seven rescuers and four divers entered the mine in the early afternoon, the state-run China Central Television reported. The governor of the northern province of Shanxi had ordered rescuers to enter the mine by noon.

Rescuers had cheered Friday 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.