▲ The scene of the accident
A wall collapse during a celebration party for a child's college admission in a rural village in southwestern China's Sichuan Province has left 5 people dead and 17 others injured.
According to Chinese state-run media outlets such as Xinhua News Agency and China News Service on the 19th, the accident occurred at around 5:30 p.m. the previous day in Yibin, Sichuan Province, when a section of a building wall suddenly collapsed while a resident was hosting a banquet in their yard to celebrate their child's university acceptance.
At the time of the accident, a temporary tent had been set up in the yard to shield guests from the rain.
Authorities believe that a large amount of rainwater accumulated on the tent, increasing the tension on the ropes securing it to the building, which caused the wall along the edge of the first-floor roof to collapse under the pressure.
As a result of the accident, 3 people died at the scene, while 2 others passed away while receiving treatment at the hospital.
Additionally, 17 people sustained injuries and are currently being treated at hospitals.
Local authorities are carrying out follow-up operations and handling the aftermath while providing treatment for the injured.
In China, there is a cultural practice of inviting relatives and acquaintances to host a banquet after children pass the national college entrance exam, known as gaokao, to celebrate their university admission.
(Photo: Captured from Chinese social media Douyin, Yonhap News)