HARBIN, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Three people have been rescued after a section of road collapsed on Tuesday in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang province, rescuers told Xinhua.

The three have been sent to hospital, rescuers said.

The cave-in happened at around 4 p.m. in Liaoyang Street in Nangang district of Harbin, leaving a 10-square-meter and 10-meter deep pit on the road.

As of 9 p.m., the number of casualties is still unknown, while witnesses said they saw some people fall into the pit when the cave-in occurred.

Rescue work and investigation into the cause of the accident is under way.

A temporary traffic ban has been imposed on the road.