Eleven dead after Qiqihar middle school gymnasium roof collapse
Tragedy struck Qiqihar City in Heilongjiang province when a school gymnasium roof collapsed, resulting in the death of eleven individuals. The incident occurred on the afternoon of July 23 at the 34th Middle School in Qiqihar, trapping students and faculty of a volleyball team who were training inside the facility.
24 July 2023
According to the rescue command headquarters, the last missing student was retrieved by 10 a.m. on July 24, showing no signs of life. The incident is currently under extensive investigation by authorities.
Chinese social media platform, Weibo, is abuzz with reactions from netizens as they express their outrage, sorrow, and calls for justice.
One Weibo user questioned the actions of the construction unit, asking why they placed lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA), which is known to absorb water, on the roof of the gymnasium. The user mourned the lost lives and expressed that punishment for those responsible would not be excessive even if it was done repeatedly.
In an analytical post, another netizen highlighted the design of the gymnasium, noting its web-like structure commonly used in large-span buildings for its advantage of not requiring supporting columns in the middle. The post questioned the lack of foresight in using water-absorbent materials like LECA on the rooftop and the lack of proactive risk assessments by the school and construction team.
Weibo users also critiqued local media's handling of the news. One user suggested that the emphasis in reporting reveals the internal values of the media.
Criticism towards local governance was also voiced. One user, claiming to be a student in Qiqihar, called for a thorough investigation, attributing the lack of development in the area to issues ranging from corruption to lack of proper public facilities.
Grief and condolences filled the comment section as the devastating news spread. "They were all vibrant children, such a tragedy," one user lamented.
Numerous users called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident, demanding accountability from those involved in the gymnasium's construction, inspection, and approval process. The anger was palpable as one user questioned, "The gymnasium collapsed and parents' hearts collapsed as well!"
Several posts showed sympathy towards the victims' families, and some expressed personal distress over the incident. A distressed mother wrote, "As a mother, I really can't bear to see this news. I'm crying so hard my head hurts! Eleven blooming lives... too distressing..."
Despite the widespread grief and outrage, some users acknowledged the quick response of provincial officials. "The secretary of the provincial party committee and the governor rushed to the scene immediately. Thumbs up!" one user praised.
As the story continues to unfold, Weibo users remain committed to following the progress of the investigation and are advocating for transparency and accountability in the aftermath of this tragic event.