Five die in China bridge collapse

Beijing, May 3 (IANS) Five people died and eight were seriously injured after a bridge suddenly collapsed during construction in south China's Guangdong province, authorities said Saturday.

The stone arch bridge in Liangkengkou village, Gaozhou City, collapsed at 1 p.m. Saturday, Xinhua reported citing the city's publicity authorities.

By 8 p.m. Saturday, rescuers had pulled out 26 people from the debris. Five of them died and eight others were seriously injured. The rescue operation is still underway.

An initial investigation showed the bridge was not licensed and was built by the villagers themselves.

The construction contractor has been taken into custody by the police.