Four dead in bar roof collapse
87 others hurt, rescuers searching for trio trapped in rubble
BEIJING: Four people died and 87 were injured when the roof of a bar collapsed in Baise, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.
Three people were still trapped in the rubble, local authorities said on Monday.
Of the injured, one was in critical condition, eight had severe injuries and 53 had been discharged from hospital.
The search was continuing, but life detectors had failed to find any vital signs so far, according to the Guangxi fire department.
Although there was rainfall through Monday, the rescue efforts, which involved more than 200 firefighters, were not greatly affected, the department said.
The National Health Commission sent a six-member team of medical experts to guide treatment of the injured on site.
The bar owner has been held by the police, authorities said.
An employee who had been working in the bar told Beijing Youth Daily that a power failure had preceded the collapse.
The emergency lights were activated but because it was raining, many people who had intended to leave were forced to stay.
The worker said he only managed to get to safety because he was near the entrance when the roof collapsed.
Lu Xinshe, party secretary of the region, urged the government to go all out to rescue the trapped and injured and to determine the cause of the collapse as soon as possible.
The bar, known as the 0776Plus Club, has floor space of 700sq m on the top floor of a three-storey steelframed building.
Long Hai, a customer who had been to the bar before, said its opening in January was a small sensation.
“We often saw its workers delivering leaflets promoting the bar’s opening and touting its 20 million yuan (RM12mil) price tag.
“I have been there once and the decorations and equipment are truly impressive,” Long said.