Collapse at south China construction site kills 12

By Mahmut Atanur

BEIJING

At least 12 workers were killed Wednesday when a temporary structure at a construction site in southern China gave way after reportedly being struck by a crane.

State news agency Xinhua reported that two people remained missing in Guangdong Province, while another 14 who had been rescued were receiving treatment in hospital.

The information office of Dongguan city said that of the workers who were apparently using the structure -- which covered an area of 200 square meters (2,153 square feet) -- as a dormitory, 69 managed to escape after the incident.

The accident is believed to have resulted from winds toppling the crane, according to an initial investigation.

Rescue efforts are ongoing with the participation of more than 200 firefighters and 40 fire trucks.