11 dead after gym roof collapse in China

Eleven people died after the roof of a school gym collapsed in northeastern China on Monday. Nineteen people were at the gym when the accident took place. Four escaped and four others survived after being pulled from the rubble.

The search and rescue operation had involved nearly 160 firefighters and 39 fire trucks. A preliminary investigation found that construction workers illegally placed perlite on the roof of the gymnasium during the construction of a teaching building adjacent to the gymnasium.

Under the influence of rainfall, the perlite soaked up water and gained weight, resulting in the roof collapse. An in-depth investigation is ongoing on. Those in charge of the construction company have been taken into police custody.