Death toll in China hotel collapse reaches 29

The death toll in the collapse of a hotel in the northern Chinese province of Shanxi has risen to 29 and the search and rescue operation is over, China Press newspaper reported on Sunday.

On Saturday, local emergencies authorities said that 17 people were killed and 28 others were injured when a two-floor hotel came down in the Linfen urban district. The collapse occurred on Saturday morning.

Initial reports put the death toll from the tragic incident at five.

The search and rescue operation completed in the early hours of Sunday. According to the China Press newspaper, the death toll stands at 29 and another 28 were wounded (seven of them sustained grave injuries, while 21 others were only lightly injured).

The cause of the collapse is still under investigation and a special commission has been created for the purpose. (/Sputnik)

( With inputs from ANI )