At least 80 miners are trapped in the Dominican Republic with rescue efforts underway, government officials say.

The miners became trapped when a portion of a zinc and copper mine in the Cerros of Maimón collapsed, according to a statement from the Ministry of Energy and Mines.

The mine is located in a rural area northwest of the capital, Santo Domingo, where relatives anxiously awaited the rescue of their loved ones.

The ministry said the miners were located underground in a safe area and were being lifted to upper ground.

It wasn't immediately known if any of them had made it the surface.

Australian Associated Press

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