Building collapse in Vietnam kills seven construction workers

dpa German Press Agency
Published: Saturday October 21, 2006

Hanoi- Seven construction workers were killed when a four-story building under renovation collapsed in southern Vietnam, official said Saturday. Police had detained the owner of the house for questioning about the accident in southern Long An province on Friday afternoon, according to Nguyen Manh Tuan, chairman of the local People' Committee.

"He may be charged for violating the law on construction and causing severe consequences," Tuan said.

The collapse appeared to have been caused by renovations to the private home to add two new floors to the home, which had previously had only two stories, Tuan said.

Of the 23 workers on the project, 12 were outside the house at the time of the sudden collapse.

Rescue workers found six bodies and pulled five people alive from the wreckage. One of the rescued workers died of injuries in hospital.

Vietnam is undergoing a construction boom as increased wealth from the country's economic growth of 8 per cent prompts home renovations and new building projects.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency