Ten people went missing after a landslide occurred at a deserted open-pit iron ore mine in north China's Hebei Province Monday evening, said rescuers Tuesday.

Rescue work is underway.

An initial investigation found that the 10 were among a group of 13 people who sneaked into the cordoned-off mining area at 6:40 p.m. Monday. Three escaped the landslide and reported the accident.

The deserted Cen'gou Iron Ore Mine owned by Luanhe Mining Co. Ltd. had remained fenced since 2006. The company cordoned off the area and put on warning signs on Monday morning, after detecting a landslide risk.