According to an on-site video, the three-story building partially collapsed, with debris and bricks scattered on the road and there was also an excavator operating on the construction site. Photo: Sina Weibo

One person died after being trapped in a partially collapsed three-story building that was vacant in Tongjiang, Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The cause of the incident is under investigation, according to media reports.

According to an on-site video, the three-story building partially collapsed, with debris and bricks scattered on the road and there was also an excavator operating on the construction site. Several police cars, fire engines, and ambulances are seen parked around the accident site, with the police maintaining order at the scene.

The collapsed building was a temporarily closed hotel that was undergoing renovation and construction at the time of the incident, media quoted local residents as saying.

An employee at a nearby shop said a construction worker was suspected to have been injured. "I'm wondering whether the building collapsed because the load-bearing structure was damaged," he said. "The construction site is under control and is being cleaned up."

One of the trapped individuals was rescued from the scene but unfortunately passed away after unsuccessful resuscitation efforts, as stated by the local government on Monday.

Global Times