BEIJING: At least 18 people were killed and 18 others injured today when a 80-tonne gantry collapsed on a temporary structure during a thunderstorm in southeast China.
The gantry at a factory in Dongguan City in Guangdong Province fell on the two-storey building made of containers during the thunderstorm, which brought with it winds of up to 100 kmph, said Luo Bin, deputy secretary-general of Dongguan municipal Government.
In all, 139 workers were in the building when the mishap happened, said Luo, also the rescue department spokesperson.
Eighty-eight of them managed to escape. Of the remaining trapped, 18 died and 18 were being treated at a hospital.
Four of the injured were serious but in stable condition. (AGENCIES)
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