19 held over fatal construction site accident in China

GUANGZHOU -- Nineteen people are in police custody after they were implicated in an accident at a construction site in southern China's Guangzhou City, which resulted in nine fatalities, last month, local authorities said Saturday.

An operation platform collapsed around 8 a.m., March 25 at the construction site for Guangzhou No.7 Thermal Power Plant in Conghua district. Ten people were on the platform when it gave away. Another worker below was buried underneath the falling platform.

A loss of balance was cited as the cause of the collapse of the 40-meter platform.

All construction work has been suspended across the whole district pending inspections. The power plant was expected to begin operation in May.

The investigation continues.