Nine workers trapped in Shanghai roof collapse: govt

Nine construction workers were trapped after the roof of a car dealership building collapsed in Shanghai Thursday as it was undergoing renovation, but rescue personnel managed to pull 11 others to safety, authorities said. The accident occurred around 11:30 am (0330 GMT) in a central Shanghai neighbourhood, the fire rescue bureau of China’s Ministry of Emergency Management said on its verified social media account.

The posting showed pictures of emergency rescue personnel pulling bloodied and dust-covered construction workers out of piles of rubble, fallen concrete pillars and shattered wooden beams. The low-rise building had been used as a dealership for Mercedes-Benz cars, the fire rescue bureau said. A local resident told AFP she was taking a nap when her bed suddenly began shaking as if in an earthquake. She then her a loud bang.

“I thought it was an explosion at first,” said the woman, who declined to give her name or to comment further. The bureau did not say whether anyone was killed or provide details of any injuries suffered by those who were rescued, and authorities sealed off the area shortly after the accident.