4 dead, 8 missing in tunnel collapse

BEIJING: A highway tunnel under construction in south-western China has collapsed, killing four people and leaving another eight missing, authorities said yesterday.

Water and mud burst from the tunnel as work was under way on Tuesday evening in the Yunnan province city of Lincang, trapping 13 workers inside.

Five people were pulled from the rubble, but only one survived and was hospitalised in stable condition.

Waterlogged and unstable conditions were complicating rescue work. Sniffer dogs and life detection machines were deployed and a medical team was on standby.