Death toll from building collapse in Cambodia rises to 28

SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia - Rescuers found two survivors in the rubble of a building that collapsed while under construction in a Cambodia beach town, killing at least 28 workers as they slept in the unfinished condominium that was doubling as their housing.

A hospital official said the two were very weak and could only speak in a soft voice. "They are in serious condition after being trapped since early Saturday without any food or water," he said.

The seven-story building collapsed early on Saturday. Dozens of construction workers were sleeping on the second floor.

The Cambodian government has set up a committee to inspect the quality of all under-construction buildings in southwestern Cambodia's Preah Sihanouk Province.

Provincial authorities said up to 75 percent of the debris has been removed from the site as of Monday morning. All of the victims were Cambodian workers, the provincial authorities said.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen visited the site on Sunday. Pictures released by the government showed him in front of the collapsed building talking to several ministers involved in the rescue.

At least 26 workers were injured in the collapse. One of them, Nhor Chandeun, said he and his wife were sleeping when they heard a loud noise and felt the building vibrate then begin falling down. They were trapped for 12 hours before rescuers found them.

"I'm so lucky to be alive," said another survivor Phat Sophal, 37.

"There was a loud bang, ... my floor trembled, suddenly the building went down. I was crushed by debris from my waist down," he said.

"My nephew and brother-in-law were sleeping near me. Everyone was screaming and crying for help. A bit later, I stopped hearing them. I don't think they have survived."

Ap - Xinhua - Afp

(China Daily 06/25/2019 page11)