Building cave-in leaves 17 workers dead in central China

A building collapse has left 17 workers dead and 23 others injured in China’s central Henan province.

The nearly-25-year-old two-story house in the town of Beiwudu in Wuyang County caved in on Friday afternoon while the workers were reinforcing the building’s foundation, according to Chinese authorities.

Nine of the injured workers removed from under the debris are said to be in serious condition, the county government said on its website.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

China has a population of nearly 1.4 billion people and workplace accidents in the vast country are common with the number of incidents having increased with its industrial advancement in past years.

One of the most hazardous incidents took place in August when a series of massive explosions at a warehouse storing chemicals killed more than 160 people and wounded dozens more in the major port city of Tianjin located in the country’s northeast.

To reduce workplace hazards and guarantee safe conditions for workers, the Chinese safety regulator has devised a strict guideline for business owners to abide by.

Businesses, however, use their influence to cut corners endangering the lives of workers who have no say, legal benefits and security.

Chinese police place violators in connection with work safety regulations under arrest.

The violators face prison time and fines.