Four miners have been rescued from a mine that collapsed in east China in December after spending 36 days trapped underground.

State news agency Xinhua reported Saturday that the men – aged between 36 and 58 years old – were each lifted to safety over a 1-1/2 hour period Friday night to cheers from rescuers.

Blindfolds were placed over their eyes to protect them from light after having spent so long underground.

The gypsum mine collapsed Dec. 25 in Baotai Town, Pingyi County, with 29 people working underground.

One miner died in the initial collapse, 11 were saved and 13 others remain missing.

Xinhua reported that to reach the miners, a more than 22-metre (72 feet) long shaft had to be drilled through limestone, sandstone and gypsum.

Four smaller tunnels had been used to supply the trapped workers with food and clothes. (Anadolu Agency)

•Photo shows miners inside a mine pit.