At least 10 people were rescued after the ceiling of a school gymnasium collapsed on Sunday in Qiqihar in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

Authorities were notified of the collapse at around 2:56 p.m. Beijing time at the No. 34 Middle School in Longsha District. By 7:14 p.m. at least 10 had been pulled from the rubble.

Media reports earlier said over 10 people were trapped in the incident. The fire department has not confirmed the exact number.

Some 160 firefighters have been dispatched to the scene for search and rescue operations.

According to rescuers, the ceiling of the gymnasium completely fell down and the venue covers an area of about 1,200 square meters.