Beijing/IBNS/UNI: Sixty-one people are trapped and 14 are missing after an accident occurred Friday afternoon in a coal mine in the city of Pingdingshan, in central China's Henan Province, local authorities said.

The accident happened at around 2 p.m. in a coal mine in China, Pingmei Shenma in Henan.

A preliminary investigation showed it was caused by a coal and gas outburst in the outer section of an intake airway.

The local authorities have mounted a rescue operation. Further investigations into the accident are underway.