KUNMING - Three people have been confirmed dead in a coal mine accident in southwest China's Yunnan province, local authorities said on Saturday.

The accident occurred at around 10:42 am on Friday at the Hengda coal mine, located in Fuyuan County of Qujing City, according to the Yunnan bureau of the National Mine Safety Administration.

Initial investigation suggests that the incident resulted from the collapse of a coal bunker within the mine's second mining area. Currently, all underground operations have been halted, and further investigation is under way.