A coal mine accident in southwest China's Yunnan province has confirmed the death of 3 people, the local government said on December 21.

The accident occurred at around 10:42 am on December 20 at the Hengda coal mine in Fuyuan county, Qujing city, according to the Yunnan bureau of the National Mine Safety Administration.

Preliminary investigations showed that the accident was caused by the collapse of the coal bunker in the second mining area of the mine. At present, all underground operations have been stopped and further investigation is underway.