2023-07-24 04:53:08
Due to recent rains in the town, the perlite absorbed the water and increased its weight, causing the roof to collapse.
At least nine people lost their lives and two others remained trapped on Monday after the roof of a school sports center collapsed on Sunday in the city of Qiqihar, in the northeastern Chinese province of Heilongjiang, the official Xinhua news agency reported today.
The accident occurred at 2:56 p.m. local time on Sunday (0656 GMT) when 19 people were inside the facility, which covers an area of about 1,200 square meters, at No. 34 Middle School, according to the Heilongjiang Fire Department.
Four people managed to get out on their own and 15 were trapped under the rubble.
As of 0300 local time on Monday (1900 GMT on Sunday), 13 people had been rescued, of whom three already lacked vital signs and another six died after resuscitation attempts failed.
Rescue efforts continue to locate the two missing, the agency said.
Preliminary investigation revealed that construction workers illegally placed a material called perlite on the roof of the complex during construction work on an adjoining building.
Due to recent rains in the town, the perlite absorbed the water and increased its weight, causing the roof to collapse.
An investigation has been opened into what happened and those responsible for the construction company have been arrested by the police.
#dead #roof #collapse #school #sports #center #China