Details of technical cause of Shanghai building collapse released

Watch Video >>

Shanghai authorities have released details of the technical cause of last Saturday's building collapse in the city, saying whoever is found responsible for the deadly incident would be "severely penalized".

Shanghai authorities have released details of the technical cause of  last Saturday's building collapse in the city.

A Shanghai government spokesman said the apartment building collapsed because its groundwork was unbalanced. There were piles of earth mounted on its northern side, and a 4.6 meter deep pit on its southern side. The dip was to build an underground garage.

But officials denied any problems in the structure and design of the fallen building, saying all its materials and structure met quality requirements.

Officials did not guarantee the safety of other buildings under construction in the same area, and pledged to begin a safety overhaul on 10 buildings in the adjacent area.

Work safety authorities said the investigation is now focusing on who is responsible for the incident, following media reports saying some shareholders of the developer were local government officials.