12 Chinese Killed in Plant Collapse

A chemical storage facility collapse killed 12 in Chongqing city Monday, March 23, 2009.

The death toll rose to 12 Monday in a chemical storage facility collapse after the last body was recovered in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.

The accident occurred around 4 p.m. at a Jianfeng Chemical Co. Ltd. building which was under construction when the ceiling collapsed, said Tang Zongwei, government head of the Fuling District.

"As of 8:30 p.m., rescuers recovered all 12 bodies from the debris. No new bodies were found after several checks," he said.

The company, under the Chongqing Chemical and Pharmaceutical Molding (Group) Company, mainly produces fertilizers. The ceiling was 30 meters in diameter and more than 10 meters high.

"There was no chemical leakage as the facility under construction has not been put into use," Tang said.

An investigation into the accident was continuing.