China makes arrests following collapse of residential building

Robert Besser
25 May 2023, 15:25 GMT+10

A report stated that the collapse of a nine-story building in central China in April 2022, was caused by illegal sub-standard construction and the failure of local officials to enforce rules
At least nine people, including the building owner have been arrested
State TV said local authorities were "not serious" about enforcing building rules and "shirked responsibility"

BEIJING, China: An official report released this week stated that the collapse of a nine-story building in central China in April 2022, which killed 54 people and injured nine, was caused by illegal sub-standard construction and the failure of local officials to enforce rules.

At least nine people, including the building owner have been arrested, added the report by investigators appointed by the ruling Communist Party, which said the collapse of the "self-built" structure was due to "illegal and irregular construction," along with additions by residents.

State TV said local authorities were "not serious" about enforcing building rules and "shirked responsibility."

News reports during the incident stated that the building had six stories, but reports said more were added up to a ninth level, with the extra weight placing overwhelming stress on the poorly built structure of the original five-story building.

After a series of collapses of structures built by owners in violation of safety rules or due to unauthorized additions of extra floors, Chinese leader Xi Jinping ordered investigations to uncover structural deficiencies in buildings throughout the country.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Shanghai Sun.

More Information

15 ℃

Partly Cloudy in Shanghai/Hongqiao

International

Section

Israeli ambassador extends thanks to U.S. president after UN vote

Israel has acknowledged and thanked the United States and President Joe Biden for standing firmly by Israel's side at the ...

E-bike's battery catches fire in New York, killing 1, injuring 6

NEW YORK: This week, New York City officials said that one person was killed and six others were injured when ...

United Kingdom passes on crucial vote to end war in Gaza

NEW YORK, New York - The United Kingdom refrained from supporting demands for a ceasefire in the two-months long Israel-Gaza ...

United States strikes down international demand for ceasefire

NEW YORK, New York - The U.S. was alone on Friday in a 13-1 vote for a ceasefire in the ...

Ex-US ambassador to Bolivia arrested for working for Cuba

WASHINGTON D.C.: The Associated Press (AP) reported that Manuel Rocha, a former American diplomat who served as U.S. ambassador to ...

Wisconsin man who firebombed anti-abortion group office pleads guilty

MADISON, Wisconsin: On November 30, Hridindu Sankar Roychowdhury from Wisconsin pleaded guilty to firebombing a conservative anti-abortion group's office on ...

Asia Business

Section