At least seven people were killed and three others wounded in a coal mine accident in Qijiang District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Saturday, according to local authorities.

The accident occurred at around 6 p.m. local time when the skip connection device was broken and caused the skip to slide down.

All the injured have been sent to the hospital for further treatment, and one person is in critical condition.

An investigation into the accident is underway.