BREAKING NEWS: More than 150 Russian miners trapped underground after sudden flood at diamond mine in Siberia

More than 150 miners were left trapped inside a diamond mine in Siberia when it suddenly flooded - and officials say 16 remain missing.

Alrosa, Russia's largest diamond producer, said 102 miners were evacuated and 33 are set to be raised to the surface after water broke through into the mine at around 4.30pm local time today.

But a further 16 are currently unaccounted for, with a search operation underway.

But a further 16 are currently unaccounted for, with a search operation underway.

Around 150 miners have been trapped as a result of the flood at the Mir mine in eastern Siberia

It said a rescue operation was underway and Alrosa's chief executive Sergei Ivanov had flown to the scene.

The emergency situations ministry's branch in the Sakha region where the mine named Mir is located said in a statement that there were 151 people inside. 

It said groundwater had flooded one of the mine's pumping stations.

"At the moment the Sakha's mine rescue brigade is carrying out operations to evacuate the workers," the ministry said.