7 killed after scaffolding collapses in Shanxi

Rescuers have recovered the bodies of all seven workers who fell into freshly poured concrete in a construction accident in Linfen, Shanxi province, according to local authorities.

Local police have taken into custody some company executives who are believed to be responsible for the casualties.

The accident occurred at around 10 pm on Friday during the concreting process for a coal storage shed at a railway logistics company named Yongxintong in Anze county, when the scaffolding for the construction collapsed suddenly.

The collapse caused six workers and one operator of a concrete pump car to fall to the base of the structure, which is around 30 meters in height, and left them buried beneath concrete that had not yet solidified.

Due to solidification and the risk of further collapse of the scaffolding, the rescue operation was extremely challenging, local authorities said.

Rescuers had recovered the bodies by 9 am on Sunday.

The part of the shed where the accident happened was being built by China Aluminum International Engineering (Tianjin) Construction, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Anze police did not name any of the executives who were taken into custody.