WUHAN - Seven people who trekked up and down a mountain and became trapped by a flood on Sunday in Central China's Hubei province are missing, local authorities said Monday.

Police in Changyang county received a call at 7:40 pm Sunday from a woman who said her husband and six other friends were trapped by a flood at Yerengu Valley in Gaojiayan Township. They were making their way back home.

Eighteen firefighters from the county's fire brigade arrived at Muqiaoxi village at about 10 pm, 2 km away from the place where the mountain climbers were trapped.

The rapid flow of the stream hindered firefighters rescue efforts. At 8 am Monday, they still had not found any of the climbers after searching the upper and lower reaches of the stream.

The search is continuing.