Nairobi, Sep 17 (IANS): At least three people were killed Wednesday when a mosque collapsed in the coastal town of Lamu.

Lamu County Commissioner Miiri Njenga said several worshipers were injured and other trapped when the mosque collapsed.

Miiri told Xinhua on phone that a rescue team comprising Kenya Navy, police and Red Cross has been dispatched to conduct a search and rescue operation.

"We have deployed a team to the scene to assist in rescuing some of the worshippers feared to be trapped underneath the debris. It's unfortunate that we have lost three people," Miiri said, adding that the rescue mission took long because the island is deep within the Indian Ocean from the mainland where the boats were responding.

According to locals, the mosque, Masjid Ijumaa, is among the oldest mosques earmarked as historic monument within Pate Island in Lamu East.

Hundreds of local residents normally flock the mosque during the Friday prayers. Police said the mosque was under construction when it caved in.

Miiri said an investigation would be launched once the rescue operation was over to establish the exact cause of the accident.