A university admission celebration in China turned tragic after a wall collapsed at a family banquet, killing five people and leaving 17 others injured.
The incident happened on Tuesday (Aug 18) in Changning County, Yibin, in Sichuan Province, according to reports cited by the source article.
The family had reportedly organised a banquet in their courtyard to celebrate their child being admitted to university. The gathering began at around 5.30pm, with relatives and guests attending the celebration.
However, heavy rain soon created a dangerous situation when water accumulated on a temporary canopy erected above the gathering area.
Rainwater reportedly caused canopy to collapse
The weight of the accumulated rainwater placed additional tension on ropes securing the canopy. Those ropes had reportedly been anchored to a parapet wall on the roof of the first floor.
The added strain caused the wall to give way, sending the structure crashing down onto people attending the banquet.
Three people were reportedly killed at the scene. Two others later died after being taken to hospital, bringing the death toll to five.
A further 17 people were injured and remained under medical treatment following the incident.
Videos circulating online showed the aftermath, with emergency personnel arriving at the scene as members of the public attempted to assist those affected.
Teenage boy suffers severe injury
Among those injured was a teenage boy whose family reportedly lived near the home where the celebration was being held.
According to a relative quoted by the Xiaoxiang Morning Herald, the boy became trapped when his legs were pinned beneath the collapsed wall.
He was subsequently rescued and taken to hospital for treatment. Reports stated that one of his feet had to be amputated and that he remained in intensive care as of Wednesday (Aug 19).
The incident has highlighted the risks posed by temporary structures during severe weather, particularly when heavy rain causes water to accumulate on canopies and other coverings.
Authorities launch safety checks
Local emergency authorities said that injured victims were receiving treatment while officials carried out follow-up work at the site.
Authorities in Dongdi Town also said they would organise safety inspections of nearby residential buildings following the collapse.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident remains ongoing.
What was intended to be a joyful family celebration marking a young person’s university admission instead became a devastating accident, with several families affected by the sudden structural collapse.