Roof Collapse Kills 11 at Chinese School Gym
Tragedy struck in Qiqihar, northeastern China, as the roof of a school gym collapsed, killing eleven people. The heartbreaking incident happened on Sunday afternoon at the No. 34 Middle School.
Flimsy Construction Blamed for Disaster
State-run Xinhua revealed the collapse was caused by illegal placement of perlite — a volcanic glass material — on the gym roof. Heavy rain caused the perlite to swell and add weight, triggering the roof to buckle and fall.
Rescue Chaos Amid Concrete Rubble
Rescue teams battled through twisted metal and massive concrete slabs to reach survivors. CCTV footage showed the brutal aftermath as 160 firefighters and 39 fire trucks rushed to the scene.
Of the 19 people in the gym at the time, just four escaped, and four more were pulled out alive. Sadly, eleven lost their lives in the collapse.
Warning Signs Ignored, Authorities Crack Down
Investigations are underway, with those responsible for the shoddy roof work now in police custody. Sources say concerns were raised about the roof’s deteriorating condition and dangerous material piling beforehand, but warnings went unheeded.
Industrial accidents like this are common in China, often blamed on weak safety laws and poor enforcement. This latest tragedy puts a spotlight on urgent reforms needed to protect lives.
