20+ trapped, others missing after building collapse in China
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At least 39 people were uncontactable after an eight-story building collapsed in the Chinese city of Changsha, and China's President calls for a search for victims "at all cost".
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The building, which housed a hotel, apartments, and a cinema, collapsed on Friday afternoon in Changsha city, Hunan province.
At least 23 people were trapped under a building that collapsed in central China, officials confirmed Saturday, as rescuers pulled apart rubble in an effort to reach survivors.
Another 39 people were uncontactable after the incident, the mayor of Changsha told reporters.
The building, which housed a hotel, apartments, and a cinema, collapsed on Friday afternoon in Changsha city, Hunan province.
Se derrumba edificio de seis pisos en #China; hay decenas de personas desaparecidas
— Diario 21 (@Diario_D21) April 30, 2022
El edificio colapsó por causas desconocidas en la ciudad de #Changsha; los equipos de rescate buscan a decenas de personas desaparecidas o atrapadas entre los escombros. pic.twitter.com/PtqvCBu5KB
It was not clear if authorities believed the people who could not be contacted were also under the rubble.
"The situation of the missing persons is being further assessed," mayor Zheng Jianxin said.
Reason for collapse under investigation
City authorities are yet to release details of casualties but said five people were rescued from the structure overnight.
A crowd gathered as chains of rescuers removed pieces of brick by hand, allowing experts a deeper look into the pancaked building.
Some of the injured were rushed on gurneys through a narrow alleyway late on Friday, while sniffer dogs combed the area for further signs of life.
BREAKING 🇨🇳China🇨🇳: Residential building in Central China collapses
— Zaid Ahmd (@realzaidzayn) April 30, 2022
♦️The owner of the collapsed building has been detained
♦️Five people have been pulled from the rubble of a collapsed building in central China,with the search for survivors continuing#Changsha #HunanProvince pic.twitter.com/90E3VquWs1
No cause for the disaster has yet been given by authorities, although speculation turned to possible overwork on the property, which officials said was eight stories high, correcting earlier reports that it was six.
"Tenants had made structural changes to the premises to varying degrees," state broadcaster CCTV reported, adding that the reason for the collapse was under investigation.
Search for victims "at all cost"
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a search for victims "at all cost," state media reported, adding he had ordered a thorough investigation into the cause of the collapse.
State Councillor Wang Yong -- appointed by the central government -- was sent to lead a team to "guide the rescue and emergency response work," an official statement said Saturday.
