China: 11 dead after middle school gymnasium roof collapses
China gym roof collapse
At least 11 people died after the roof of a middle school gymnasium collapsed under heavy rain in the northeast city of Qiqihar in China, according to a BBC report.
The incident took place when 19 people were in the gymnasium. While four managed to escape, 15 got trapped under the debris. After the rescue officials arrived on the scene, all 15 were pulled out but only four survived the impact of the collapsing roof.
"The ceiling of the gymnasium completely fell down and the venue covers an area of about 1,200 square meters," state media CGTN reported.
According to preliminary investigations, perlite, a form of volcanic glass that was piled on the roof soaked up the rainwater, which caused the roof to collapse around 15:00 local time Sunday (July 23).
Authorities launched a hunt to nab those who constructed the building and managed to apprehend one of them in no time.A further investigation is currently underway.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent
)
India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh
)
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?
)
Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition
)
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
)
Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch
)
Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions
)
Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy
)
Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
)
Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside
)
Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act
)
Stray Kids under scrutiny? Fans react to Grammy submission silence after BTS boycott
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
Jugal Hansraj reunites with Shekhar Kapur after 40 years for Masoom: The Next Generation
)
New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know
)
India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims
)
Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed
)
US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built
)
Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH
)
Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school
)
Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report
A routine phenomenon in China
This is not the first time that a safety-related incident has happened in China. The country is notorious for such tragedies, primarily due to lax safety standards and poor enforcement of rules.
Last month, at least 31 lost their lives while seven suffered serious injuries after a gas explosion took place at a barbecue restaurant in the city of Yinchuan.
The blast was caused by the leak of a liquified gas tank inside the restaurant. Images and videos of the damaged building show blackened exteriors and debris lying all across the area went viral on social media platforms.
Watch |Section of mountain at Coal mine in China collapses, 10 killed
Even Chinese President Xi Jinping commented on the incident, calling it 'heartbreaking', and added it was a 'profound lesson'. According to CCTV, Xi pulled up the officials and ordered a nationwide safety risk review and strengthening of safety supervision in key sectors.
Similarly, in February, at least 53 people were left dead while dozens were injured after a coal mine collapsed in Alxa League in Inner Mongolia.
(With inputs from agencies)
WATCH WION LIVE HERE: