A routine volleyball practice session turned into a horrific nightmare as the roof of a school gymnasium collapsed, claiming 11 precious lives. The incident has left the community of Qiqihar in great shock and parents of the deceased, utterly devastated.
Out of a total of 19 reportedly present that day, only eight managed to escape.
Volleyball session turns fatal
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The concrete roof in the No.34 Middle School, Longsha District, collapsed while several young players, majority reported to be young females, were practicing. “The team consisted of students selected from different grades. They had just returned to the school a few days ago after a competition out-of-town,” an eyewitness on the radio.
According to preliminary investigations, sheer negligence of construction workers caused the collapse. During construction next door, workers left perlite, a mineral that absorbs water, on the gymnasium roof.
It is worthy to note that the city of Qiqihar and most of China had severe rainfall, causing havoc.
The heavy rainfall meant that the perlite absorbed huge amounts of water and the subsequent increase in mass caused the entire roof to collapse with the young players in it.
Distraught parents demand answers
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School officials reported the tragic incident on Sunday afternoon, but it wasn’t until the next day that the last person was rescued from the rubble and debris. Parents rushed to the scene after learning what happened and many were unhappy with the way authorities handled the situation.
A furious father claimed in a viral video on social media that the government stationed police to monitor parents, but they did not provide any updates about their children. “They tell me my daughter is gone, but we never got to see the child. All the children had their faces covered with mud and blood when they were sent to the hospital. I pleaded, please let me identify the child. What if that wasn’t my child?” the man said.
The Chinese authorities have already arrested the owners of the construction company.
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As the parents of the deceased grapple with this devastating loss, there needs to be a strict call for action. The authorities need to investigate and make sure there is accountability and justice, as families of the victims grow anxious.
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