Two detained over deadly factory collapse in China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-04-26 11:01

SHIJIAZHUANG -- Two people have been detained by police in connection with a factory collapse near Beijing that left 10 dead and 15 others injured, a local official said Saturday.

The entire roof of a workshop of the Jinbo Clothing Factory in Anci District, Langfang, Hebei Province, collapsed at about 7:40 a.m. Friday. The city is about 50 km southeast of Beijing.

Altogether 45 people were working in the facility at the time. Six immediately escaped and 14 were later rescued unharmed.

The workshop was leased from a furniture company. A manager of the clothing factory and the owner of the workshop have been detained by police, said Gao Shengxian, director of the Hebei Provincial Work Safety Administration.

Officials said it appeared that heavy rain and thunders might have damaged timbers and tiles on the roof of the factory, which was built in the mid-1990s.

Local residents and factory workers said the workshop, about 50 meters in length and 15 meters in width, had no supporting pillars inside.

"Police have obtained the design drawing and construction contract of the workshop. The material of the girder structure is yet to be checked," Gao said.

"The investigation is expected to be finished before May 1," he said.

The 15 injured, including eight severely, were described in stable condition Saturday. Local hospitals have been told to provide daily updates on their condition.

The municipal government has ordered a general overhaul of the city's old and risky buildings before the rainy season.