COLOMBO, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were killed and two others critically injured when a tea warehouse collapsed here on Wednesday, police said.

Among those killed were three women. The deceased and injured were rushed to the Colombo National Hospital.

Police also said around 12 people were inside the building at the time of collapse.

Search and rescue operations were underway and several police and army teams were deployed at the site.

The fire brigade was also seen assist in the rescue operations.

The reasons of the collapse were not immediately clear.