Hangzhou subway collapse death toll rises to 17

Seventeen people are now confirmed dead following the collapse of a half-built subway tunnel in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, Reuters reported. Four people are still missing, with little chance of survival. Ten people remain in hospital and local insurance companies have paid out nearly US$1.5 million in compensation. The tunnel collapse swallowed several vehicles, including a public bus, and trapped dozens of people in a 75-meter-long chasm. Hangzhou Mayor Cai Qi said the accident had exposed "serious problems" in the city’s subway construction. Hangzhou and other cities have since conducted safety checks on such projects. China’s construction industry is plagued by corruption, poor standards and shoddy materials, although in this case no arrests or punishments have been reported.