10 Killed After Roof Of Gymnasium In China School Collapses

A preliminary investigation found that perlite, a form of volcanic glass, had been illegally piled on the roof soaking up rain water, which caused the collapse.

Ten people were killed in China's Qiqihar City on Sunday after a concrete roof of a school gymnasium collapsed on them. State media reported that one person is feared to be trapped beneath the debris. Initially, 15 were thought to be trapped underneath the rubble. So far authorities have rescued 14 individuals as per CCTV footage. The roof collapse at the No. 34 Middle School in Longsha District in Qiqihar, located in northeast China's Heilongjiang province, was reported at 12:26 pm (IST) on Sunday, as per the provincial fire and rescue department, reported Chinese news agency Xinhua.

There were 19 people present in that gymnasium when the unfortunate incident took place. State media cited the Municipal Search and Rescue Headquarters reported that four people escaped and 15 were trapped. 

Several parts of China have been dealing with heavy rain since this weekend. Flooding has also been reported in some areas. As per a preliminary investigation, the construction workers illegally placed perlite, a mineral with high water content, on the roof of the gymnasium during the construction of a teaching building which was adjacent to the gymnasium, reported Xinhua. Following incessant rain, the perlite soaked up water and gained weight, resulting in the roof collapse.

An in-depth probe into the matter has been launched and individuals that are in charge of the construction company have been taken into police custody.

An overhead ariel view of the site was doing rounds on social media as per Reuters that showed the collapsed roof with rescue workers in the gym next to large boulders of concrete. Other pictures that were also being circulated showed large cranes hoisted on the side of the school building as rescue efforts were underway.

Construction accidents are common in China and have been blamed on lax safety standards and poor enforcement.

In June, an explosion at a barbecue restaurant in north-west China killed at least 31 people. A preliminary investigation found that a restaurant employee was replacing a broken valve on a liquefied gas tank when the blast occurred.

In April, a fire at a Beijing hospital killed 29 and led some desperate survivors flee by jumping out of the windows.