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Rescuers try to remove the rubble at the site of the collapsed building. Heng Sinith/PA Images

Seven people dead after Cambodian building collapse

Four people have been arrested in connection with the accident.

AT LEAST SEVEN people have died in Cambodia after an under-construction building owned by a Chinese company collapsed at a  beach resort. 

The building collapsed before sunrise in the casino-resort town Sihanoukville in southwestern Cambodia, a rapidly developing tourist hotspot.

Four people have been arrested in connection with the accident, including the Chinese building owner, the head of the construction firm and the contractor. A Cambodian landowner has also been held at provincial headquarter for questioning. 

The seven-storey building was almost 80% complete when it crashed down early today, the deadliest such accident in recent years in Cambodia. 

“Now the death toll from the building collapse is seven,” Sihanoukville city police chief Thul Phorsda said, after officials earlier pinned the number of dead at three. 

At least 21 people were reported injured – several critically – and at least three of the dead were Cambodian, including two workers and a translator.

Rescue workers in hard hats pulled people from a mountain of concrete, wood and twisted metal. 

Medical workers attended to a shirtless injured man as concerned crowds built up around the site, while scores of soldiers and police joined the search for survivors.

“Teams continue to search for more victims,” a provincial official statement said, adding that an investigation into the accident had been launched. 

There was no confirmation of precisely how many people were at the building at the time of the collapse, though earlier officials said 30 people were feared trapped. 

Around 50 workers would normally have been on the site at the time, Preah Sihanouk governor Yun Min said. 

The building belonged to a Chinese national who rented the land from a Cambodian owner. The construction firm and contractor were both Chinese-owned as well. 

Sihanoukville was once a sleepy fishing community before being claimed first by Western backpackers, and then wealthy Russians.

© – AFP 2019 

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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    Feb 27th 2014, 7:48 PM

    Shatter resign now

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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    Feb 27th 2014, 7:48 PM

    Callinan resign now

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    Mute Were Jammin
    Favourite Were Jammin
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    Feb 27th 2014, 7:54 PM

    Between the GSOC affair and the McCabe dossier, if there was no cover up going on, then 3 months out from the local elections this government should be falling over themselves to be seen to spearhead the push for an open and independent investigation into all of these matters.

    Instead, we have a ‘review’ and an investigation into whenther an investigation is needed.

    It stinks, and the damage it has done to public perception of our institutions of law and order for the sake of protecting the minister and commissioner is truly sickening.

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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    Feb 27th 2014, 7:49 PM

    McCabe for commissioner

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    Mute Colette Kearns
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    Feb 27th 2014, 7:59 PM

    Maurice McCabe will be the only 1 to suffer here, Shitter & co will never be beaten.

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    Mute Kevin
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    Feb 27th 2014, 8:10 PM

    In the end your right.

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    Mute Gearoid O Machain
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    Feb 27th 2014, 9:14 PM

    correct cos the people of ireland sat back and let it all happen instead of demanding justice and the right thing be done!! shame on us all for continually giving these corrupt fcukers a free pass to keep screwing the good left in the country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    Mute Colette Kearns
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    Feb 27th 2014, 7:51 PM

    A LOT OF €€€€€€€€€

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    Mute Johnny Merren
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    Feb 27th 2014, 8:10 PM

    “When a finger points at the moon, the imbecile looks at the finger”.
    Confusius
    Think, finger = whistle blower
    imbecile = MINISTER.

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    Mute Barry Burke
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    Feb 27th 2014, 8:02 PM

    ‘Whether it is considered desirable in the public interest for the Government to establish a commission of investigation’. These words kinda sum up the get out clause. Whitewash, I’ve heard there is quite an abundance around Merrion Square

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    Mute Gearoid O Machain
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    Feb 27th 2014, 9:15 PM

    the people of ireland should be out on the streets demanding an end to all this diversionary bullshit, spin, lies, corruption etc.

    instead our responce is

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    Mute Gearoid O Machain
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    Feb 27th 2014, 9:17 PM

    carry on as normal lads cos we’re never going to say enough is enough, get as powerful and dirty as ye like, don’t even bother to hide it anymore cos we all know what’s going on, tis great craic, please sir, can i have some more!!

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    Mute Mindfulirish
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    Feb 27th 2014, 9:36 PM

    Maurice Mc Cabe for President as he is the only one with integrity. The commissioner has no place to go. Why is it in Ireland nobody resigns? I bet he may retire soon and ride off with both satchels full of cash. If he were fired he may even face prosecution. Shatter could face the same but I doubt it.

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    Mute Kerry Blake
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    Feb 27th 2014, 10:10 PM

    Interesting to note Shatter will not be interviewed. From statements he has made to the Dail and in public I would have thought he has all the facts and figures to help this investigation….

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    Mute John Hartigan
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    Feb 27th 2014, 10:21 PM

    Seems shatter has shit on kenny and co

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    Mute Mary Griffin
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    Feb 27th 2014, 11:29 PM

    And after all that – when the Taoiseach gets the report – what then????

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