Amid heavy rainfall in several parts of China, the roof of a school gymnasium covering about 1200 square metres in China's Heilongjiang province collapsed on Sunday, killing at least 11 people.
The gymnasium is located in the No.34 Middle School in Longsha district of the Heilongjiang province. Out of the 19 people, only four people managed to survive the roof collapse, BBC reported citing local media.
According to a preliminary investigation, perlite was illegally placed on the roof of the gym by construction workers while constructing another teaching building.
The perlite was soaked in water due to the rains and gained weight, leading to the roof collapse. Further investigation is underway.
Persons in charge of the construction company have been taken into custody following the deadly roof collapse, local media reported.
Meanwhile, incessant rainfall caused floods and a landslide in eastern China, killing at least five people and three missing while over 1,500 were evacuated, according to state media. Some northern regions of China this year have reported the worst floods in 50 years.
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