NANCHANG, March 2-- Three miners were confirmed dead after a coal and gas outburst at a colliery in east China's Jiangxi Province trapped four miners underground, local authorities said on Monday.

The rescuers have found the bodies of three miners, the search continues for the other miner trapped in Yongshan coal mine in Leping City, according to the city's mining bureau.

Over 800 tonnes of coal has blocked the access shaft. The incident occurred at around 11:57 a.m. on Saturday.

The investigation into the incident continues.