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Platform collapse injures 40 during show in NW. China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-02-08 13:16

JINGBIAN, Shaanxi -- At least 40 people were injured, with 20 seriously, when an outdoor platform collapsed Friday during a folk dancing show in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, a local government spokesman said Sunday.

The accident happened at about 2 p.m. in Jingbian County shortly after many people had swarmed onto the platform to view the yangge show, a popular rural folk dance in north China, organized by the county's cultural bureau.

The seriously injured, mostly senior citizens, children and women, are still receiving treatment in hospital. The injured, all in stable condition now, were mostly hurt by the falling steel pillars.

The platform, 20 m long, 10 m wide and about 8 m high, was supported by a steel structure. It was  built for local officials and governmental guests to view performances on the Lantern Festival which falls on Monday.

According to the bureau, the structure was loosened after a motor vehicle had knocked on it the day before the accident.