High school roof collapses: 11 dead

It has been reported that 11 people died when the roof of a school gym collapsed in China’s Heilongjiang province.

According to the Xinhua news agency, the roof of the school gym collapsed on Sunday night. In the statement from the regional fire and rescue teams, it was indicated that 19 people were in the room at the time of the collapse.

While 4 people under the rubble escaped the rubble under their own power, 15 people were stranded. Authorities announced that the bodies of 11 people were found in the rubble and 4 people were rescued with injuries.

In the first investigation it was determined that perlite was used illegally on the ceiling during the construction of the gym. It is reported that this substance absorbs water during rains and becomes heavier, causing the roof to collapse.

As part of the investigation, the people involved in the construction of the roof were arrested. (AA)