GUIYANG - Three people died in a house collapse that occurred in Southwest China's Guizhou province Tuesday morning, local authorities said.

The house collapsed at 2:30 am in Chengguan township, located in Qianxi county in the city of Bijie, trapping dozens of people in the rubble of the home.

Rescuers managed to pull 11 people out of the debris, three of whom died from their injuries while being treated at a local hospital, according to the local civil affairs department.

Rescue operations are still under way and the cause of the accident is under investigation.