Manila - Four more miners were rescued overnight after being trapped for one week in a flooded mineshaft in the northern Philippines, bringing the total number rescued alive to six, a regional police chief said Tuesday.

Chief Superintendent Eugene Martin said one miner was rescued before midnight Monday while three more were found early Tuesday as rescuers work round-the-clock to take advantage of the good weather.

"It did not rain the whole day Monday and until this morning so rescuers are working double time," he said. "Floodwaters have receded a bit so our operations move at a faster pace."

Two miners were rescued Monday afternoon in the flooded mineshaft in Itogon town in Benguet province, 225 kilometres north of Manila, bringing cheers to relatives and friends who were anxiously waiting at the opening of the shaft.

Martin said more navy divers were brought in late Monday to help in the race against time to find seven other miners believed to be still trapped in the shaft.

"The survivors were found separately inside the shaft. They were lucky to be able to find areas that were not reached by floodwaters," he said. "They survived with only the water they brought with them. They have no food."

Martin said the 16 miners, who entered the shaft Monday last week at the height of a powerful typhoon, brought only enough food for one meal since they did not plan to stay very long.

Last week, rescuers saw three dead bodies of miners but were only able to recover two bodies. The third body was probably still stuck inside, Martin said. (dpa)