A total of 17 people were missing after a rock collapse in southwest China's Sichuan Province, the local rail authority confirmed on Thursday.

The rock collapse in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Photo: VCG)

The incident happened around 12:44 p.m. on Wednesday at a section of the Chengdu-Kunming railway in Ganluo County.

Search and rescue operations are underway.