Three miners were killed and another 19 are still trapped in a mine collapse that occurred on Saturday in the city of Heshan in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, according to a city government official.

The trapped coal miners are located in a mine shaft more than 300 meters below ground. A rescue team has been sent down into the shaft to locate the trapped miners, the official said.

The official added that the miners are currently located in a difficult-to-reach section of the shaft, which may complicate rescue efforts.