Three people killed in second gym collapse in Heilongjiang province sparks concern in China

Chinese people are expressing concern after another gymnasium collapsed in the northeast province of Heilongjiang, the second incident of its kind in months. The collapse on Monday night resulted in the deaths of three people and occurred following days of unseasonably cold weather and heavy snowfall. The victims' identities have yet to be revealed, but it is reported that children were inside the gymnasium at the time. Videos circulating online show rescuers sifting through snow-covered debris on a basketball court in an attempt to find survivors. Another video captures a woman running towards the collapsed building, yelling that her son is trapped inside. On Tuesday, officials confirmed the death of three individuals and severe injuries to one person at the Yuecheng Gym Stadium in Jiamusi city. Although the cause of the collapse is still unknown, citizens have quickly drawn comparisons to a similar incident earlier this year in which 11 people lost their lives. In that case, heavy rain caused the concrete roof of a school gymnasium in Qiqihar city to collapse. Authorities discovered that construction materials left by contractors had weighed down the roof. While it remains unclear if the Yuecheng Gym Stadium had undergone checks since the July incident, concerned individuals are calling for increased inspections of large public facilities in the province. Heilongjiang, China’s northernmost province, is currently facing a sudden cold snap and blizzard conditions, leading to school closures, flight and train cancellations, and severe weather advisories. State media has warned of additional blizzard conditions, icy roads, and downed power lines in the area.