The concrete roof of a school gymnasium collapsed in China ’s Qiqihar city on Sunday killing 10 people. As with one person still trapped, state media reported on Monday.
Initially 15 people thought to be trapped underneath the rubble and authorities pulled 14 individuals out from the debris, according to CCTV.
The gymnasium roof collapse at the No. 34 Middle School in Longsha District in Qiqihar, located in northeast China ’s Heilongjiang province. Just reported just before 3pm local time (7am GMT) on Sunday, the provincial fire and rescue department said.
There were 19 people at the gymnasium when the accident occurred. Four people escaped and 15 trapped, the municipal search and rescue headquarters said.
As of 3am local time on Monday, 14 people had pulled out of the rubble, with three showing no vital signs. Six people died after treatment failed, state news agency Xinhua reported.
Other pictures showed large cranes hoisted on the side of the school building as rescue efforts were ongoing.
The region and several parts of China had heavy rain this weekend, causing flooding and damage in some areas.
A preliminary investigation found that construction workers illegally placed perlite, a mineral with high water content. As on the roof of the gymnasium during construction of a teaching building adjacent to the gymnasium, Xinhua reported.