Building under construction collapses in northwestern China, killing 8

Building in northwest China collapses, killing 8

BEIJING — A state news agency says a four-story building under construction has collapsed in northwestern China, killing eight workers and injuring three others.

Xinhua News Agency says the residential building fell Saturday in Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi province. More than 300 firefighters, police and medical workers were sent to the site.

Xinhua says a community official said the building could have toppled because of substandard construction material.

Xinhua reported Sunday that police were searching for two contractors who fled the scene.

Poorly constructed buildings are a chronic problem in China and often blamed on poor planning, shoddy work or the theft of materials.