5 rescued from building collapse in China, dozens missing

BEIJING (AP) — Rescuers in central China have pulled out alive five of 23 people trapped in a partially collapsed building while President Xi Jinping gave instructions to rescue the victims “at all costs.”

The six-story building in the city of Changsha partially collapsed on Friday.

State broadcaster CCTV reported that the collapse trapped some 23 people who were in the building.

But authorities also said that 39 others who were present around the site of the building when it toppled remain uncontactable, and rescue operations are underway.

Authorities said at a news conference Saturday that the five who were rescued are stable.

The building housed a restaurant, a coffeeshop, a hotel, and several apartments.

State TV says the tenants had made structural changes to the premises.