11 killed as roof of school gym collapses in China

KABUL (Pajhwok): Nearly a dozen people were killed after the roof of a middle school’s gymnasium collapsed in northeastern China, authorities said on Monday.

Chinese media quoted the authorities today (Monday) as confirming the deaths of eleven people in the incident in Qiqihar city.

A female volleyball team was training when the roof of their school gym collapsed following heavy rains.

According the authorities, 19 people were trapped in the rubble, but eight of them were rescued.

The incident took place after heavy rains for the past two days, which also caused flash floods in some areas.  Authorities said the illegal stacking of materials on the roof may have caused it to cave in.

kk/ma