3 dead, 14 still trapped in collapsed canteen in China's Chongqing

Three people were killed and 14 remained trapped after a blast rocked a canteen of a subdistrict office in Wulong District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality at noon Friday.

The accident took place at 12:10 pm as suspected gas leakage triggered the explosion and caused the collapse, trapping 27 people inside.

As of 6 pm Friday, 10 people were rescued and three were found dead. Rescuers are still looking for the 14 others trapped in the damaged building.

According to witnesses, people were having lunch in the canteen when the blast took place.

Ministry of Emergency Management has dispatched a workgroup and several experts to guide the rescue efforts.

More than 150 firefighters and professional rescuers as well as a group of rescue dogs are racing against time to search the trapped people.