10 confirmed dead after multiple buildings collapse in N China

The death toll from the collapse of multiple buildings in north China's Shanxi Province on Friday had risen to 10 by Monday morning, with 10 others still unaccounted for as search and rescue operations continue.

The tragedy happened on Friday evening inXiangning County when a landslide knocked down two residential buildings, a makeshift house and a bathhouse.

Half of the 72 hours rescuers say could be the cut-off point to save lives had passed.

Seven bodies were recovered from the scene, while three were confirmed dead after being transferred to hospital.

Thirteen people have been rescued so far, including young children.

Large-sized machines start working

Large-sized machines were brought in on Sunday afternoon to assist rescue efforts. Two cranes have started to work at the top of the hill to stabilize the hanging parts of collapsed buildings to ensure the safety of rescuers.

Two cranes work to stabilize the hanging parts of the collapsed buildings. /CGTN Photo

A digger has been cleaning up the outer area of the scene trying to dig out a wider rescue way.

Cracks in walls

CGTN visited the site of the tragedy, and saw houses and shops near the collapsed buildings empty, with occupants evacuated.

Many nearby residents say they feel afraid.

"I feel quite uneasy now. I never expected this could happen. The collapse happened all of a sudden. And I also feel it's a bit unsafe to live around here," a female shop owner living across the street told CGTN.

The local health center behind which the collapse took place has been sealed off. /CGTN Photo

"I'm very afraid now. Actually, I saw cracks on our house last winter," said a man who lived in a house near the collapsed site but has now moved out.

Buildings built on slopes

The Xiangning County is located in a mountainous area where it's very common for buildings to be constructed on slopes. It's still unknown whether the construction of these houses is legal or meets safety regulations.

Buildings neighboring the collapsed site are also built on slopes. /CGTN Photo

The collapsed buildings were built on land in the Loess Plateau, which covers almost all of Shanxi Province.

The soft soil has made the site unstable, creating great challenges for rescuers.

Due to safety concerns, the rescue operation was halted multiple times. Previously, in order to avoid secondary collapses, rescuers would use small tools to pull out trapped people. But they couldn't reach those under the debris in deeper place.

Rescuers say now with the help of machines, the rescue operation will be safer and they will be able to search for those trapped deep.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)