China makes arrests following collapse of residential building

Robert Besser
25 May 2023, 15:25 GMT+10

A report stated that the collapse of a nine-story building in central China in April 2022, was caused by illegal sub-standard construction and the failure of local officials to enforce rules
At least nine people, including the building owner have been arrested
State TV said local authorities were "not serious" about enforcing building rules and "shirked responsibility"

BEIJING, China: An official report released this week stated that the collapse of a nine-story building in central China in April 2022, which killed 54 people and injured nine, was caused by illegal sub-standard construction and the failure of local officials to enforce rules.

At least nine people, including the building owner have been arrested, added the report by investigators appointed by the ruling Communist Party, which said the collapse of the "self-built" structure was due to "illegal and irregular construction," along with additions by residents.

State TV said local authorities were "not serious" about enforcing building rules and "shirked responsibility."

News reports during the incident stated that the building had six stories, but reports said more were added up to a ninth level, with the extra weight placing overwhelming stress on the poorly built structure of the original five-story building.

After a series of collapses of structures built by owners in violation of safety rules or due to unauthorized additions of extra floors, Chinese leader Xi Jinping ordered investigations to uncover structural deficiencies in buildings throughout the country.

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