Tragedy struck in northeast China’s Heilongjiang province when a structural collapse occurred at the Yuecheng Fitness Gymnasium in Jiamusi city, Huanan County. This incident, which took place on November 7, resulted in the loss of three lives and one injury, according to Reuters.
The Incident at Yuecheng Fitness Gymnasium
The Yuecheng Fitness Gymnasium, which is primarily a basketball arena used for youth basketball training, was the site of the structural collapse. The incident happened at 7:20 pm, sending shockwaves through the local community. Videos circulated on social media showed a concrete structure caved in and covered by snowfall.
Reports suggested that seven people were present at the gymnasium when it collapsed. Tragically, three people lost their lives in the incident, and one individual sustained injuries. Among the victims, it was believed that children might have been present at the time of the collapse.
According to a video circulating on Weibo, a woman was seen running towards the rubble in tears as she screamed that her son was still inside.
Response and Rescue Efforts
Local authorities and emergency services swiftly initiated rescue operations. However, due to the precarious situation, the efforts were fraught with challenges. Despite these difficulties, officials eventually brought the rescue operations to a close.
The venue where this tragic accident occurred belongs to the New Sunshine Fitness Club, located in Huanan County. Unfortunately, the club remained unavailable for immediate comments on the incident. The person in charge of the gym, who is also affiliated with New Sunshine Fitness Club, has been detained by the police.
Investigation into the Collapse
The exact cause of the collapse is under investigation by authorities. It remains unclear what triggered this tragic event. The incident took place during a day of harsh weather conditions in Heilongjiang, which may have played a role in the structural failure.
Heilongjiang, the northernmost province of China, experienced extreme cold and blizzard conditions on the day of the incident. The adverse weather disrupted public transportation, closed schools, and posed significant challenges to the local infrastructure. Additional blizzard conditions were forecasted for the region.