China: Fatal gym roof collapse claims 10 lives, one trapped
Beijing, China, July 24: A devastating incident unfolded at the No. 34 Middle School in Qiqihar, Heilongjiang Province, northeastern China, as the roof of a school gym collapsed, resulting in the loss of ten lives, with one person still trapped under the debris. The unfortunate incident occurred shortly before 3 pm (0700 GMT) on Sunday, according to reports from state media outlet Xinhua.
Rescue efforts began immediately, and as of 5:30 am on Monday, rescue teams managed to pull 14 people from the wreckage. Unfortunately, four of the individuals were already without vital signs, and despite efforts to save six others, they succumbed to their injuries after treatment.
Dramatic footage aired by state broadcaster CCTV showed the entire roof of the gym collapsed onto the floor, leaving rescue workers with a challenging task of carefully sifting through the debris to find survivors and retrieve the bodies of those who lost their lives.
In response to the emergency, an extensive search and rescue operation involving nearly 160 firefighters and 39 fire trucks was swiftly launched to maximize the chances of finding survivors and bringing relief to those affected.
An initial investigation into the cause of the collapse revealed a significant factor. Construction workers had reportedly placed perlite, a type of volcanic glass, on the roof of the gym. Tragically, heavy rainfall in the region caused the perlite to expand, ultimately leading to the structural failure of the roof and the ensuing collapse.
As the investigation progresses, authorities are taking swift action. The individuals responsible for overseeing the construction company have been taken into police custody, according to the state news agency.
China has experienced numerous industrial accidents in the past, often due to inadequate safety standards and poor enforcement. One of the most severe tragedies occurred in Tianjin in 2015, where a massive explosion at a chemical warehouse claimed the lives of at least 165 people.
In the wake of this latest incident, there is likely to be renewed focus on improving safety protocols and construction practices to prevent such devastating accidents from recurring in the future.
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- With inputs from agencies
