Death Toll In Collapse Of Hotel In Suzhou, China Rises To 17

The death toll in the collapse of a hotel in Suzhou, China on Monday has risen to 17, state-run media reported Wednesday.

Kyodo News reported the incident happened as American search parties continue to dig out the rubble in a collapsed condominium in Florida, where 95 people were killed.

The accident took place on Monday afternoon, trapping a total of 23 people inside the wreckage. Five were injured and the rescue operation ended on Wednesday, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

The collapse appears to have been triggered by an unauthorized renovation, Xinhua stressed.

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