CHENGDU - Seven people have been trapped while 266 others have successfully escaped after a coal mine accident happened in Southwest China's Sichuan province early Tuesday morning, sources with a local company, owner of the coal mine, said.

The accident occurred around 1 am at the Shanmushu Coal Mine, which is owned by the Sichuan Coal Group Furong Company, in the Gongxian county when 273 miners were working in the pit, the sources said.

As of 9:55 am, 266 miners have managed to escape while seven others remain missing, it said.

Rescue work is under way.