URUMQI - Five people are trapped and another person is missing after a sudden flood triggered by melting snow in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Tuesday, rescuers said.

In the morning, six people were trapped by the flood in the Yurungkash River in the Hotan region while they were collecting jade on the bed of the river, rescuers said.

The flood has washed one person down stream and five others are still trapped in the water.

Rescue work is being carried out to reach them.

The Yurungkash River originates in the Kunlun Mountain area and runs into the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang. It is known for white, grey and black fine jade.

People collect jade on the bed of the river from spring to autumn.