Society

9 killed in E China building collapse

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-06-20 15:19

NANJING - About 200 rescuers working overnight have saved seven out of the 16 construction workers buried under rubble in an East China city after a building they were renovating collapsed, local authorities said Monday. The nine others were confirmed dead.

The last survivor was found at 2 am Monday, local officials said, adding that the rescue faces huge difficulties. All the rescued have been taken to hospital, the officials said.

The accident occurred Sunday morning when a dilapidated four-story recreation center for seniors in the city of Wuxi, eastern Jiangsu province, partially collapsed. The third floor collapsed upon the second floor when workers were renovating the building.

Local officials are still investigating the cause of the collapse and have ordered strengthened safety oversight of the city's old buildings saturated after days of heavy rain.