News Archive
Shanghai collapse prompts sweeping inspections
Released on 30/06/2009
Bad construction methods are thought to be behind last Saturday’s building collapse in Shanghai that killed one worker.
Sweeping quality inspections have been ordered after a nearly-finished 13-story apartment building in the Lotus Riverside complex in suburban Shanghai toppled suddenly, killing one worker who had gone into the building to collect his tools, reports the official Xinhua News Agency.
According to a report from the investigation team, bad construction methods are thought to be behind the collapse. Investigators said workers had dug an underground garage on one side of the building while on the other side earth was heaped 10 metres high.
"Any construction company with common sense would not make such a mistake," an expert from the investigation team is reported to have said.
Nine people linked to the building, including the real estate developer, contractor and the supervisor for the project, have been put "under appropriate control", Xinhua reported Sunday evening.
Authorities in Shanghai said late Tuesday they are investigating the identities of shareholders of the real estate firm involved in the building.
The probe followed media reports saying some shareholders of Shanghai Meidu Real Estate are government officials.
The property development company was run by the Meilong Township between 1995 and 2001 and became a private company in 2001, official data showed, according to Xinhua
Que Jinde, former chairman of the company, is assistant chief of the township government and holds a 15 percent stake in the company. Some other shareholders also work in the township government agencies.
Examination of the building's foundation and structure will be finished Thursday, according to the Minhang district information office.
More than 380 homeowners have demanded refunds or compensation. The district government has pledged to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the owners.
The developer was banned from selling housing units following the collapse. It had sold out 489 of 629 homes.
The municipal government Tuesday ordered a sweeping quality inspection of buildings and infrastructures under construction in Shanghai.
