SHIJIAZHUANG - Three students have died and another was wounded after a wall at a middle school collapsed in North China's Hebei province, local authorities said Thursday.

The accident happened in Gaocheng district, Shijiazhuang, Hebei's capital, on Wednesday afternoon, just after grade nine students of No 7 Middle School finished their exam and were leaving the school.

At about 6:30 pm, a 60-meter section of wall collapsed due to strong winds, according to an official with Gaocheng district government.

Staff with the school found four students in the rubble at about 7 pm, and sent them to hospital.

Three of the students died, while doctors are trying to save the fourth one.

The investigation continues.