Hotel That Collapsed With COVID-19 Patients Was Illegal

Story ByMichael Leidig, Sub EditorJoseph GolderAgencyAsia Wire Report

The Chinese hotel that collapsed with the loss of 20 lives was illegally built according to officials investigating the cause of the tragedy.

The hotel was being used as a quarantine centre for people suspected of having the COVID-19 virus. Rescuers still searching the rubble say that 70 people have been found including the 28 dead. One person is still missing and there have been 42 injured.

The announcement that the hotel had been illegally built was made by Shang Yong, the deputy head of the Chinese Ministry of Emergency Management, who said that each illegal reconstruction of the hotel have been followed by yet another illegal reconstruction and every stage the proper safety protocols had not been implemented.

AsiaWire

He added that the ministry plans to make those involved fully responsible for their actions.

At the time of the collapse, construction work was being carried out in the hotel, and the owner had received a call from workmen noting that a pillar at the heart of the building on the 1st floor had started to deform. About 5 minutes later the building collapsed.

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