People Trapped After Building Collapses In Changsha

Rescuers were racing to find survivors after a building housing businesses collapsed on Friday in the central city of Changsha, mainland media reported.

The six-storey structure, which collapsed around noon, was home to a restaurant, a guesthouse and a cinema, broadcaster CCTV said.

Videos published by local media showed a large cloud of dust rising into the air over the adjacent street, as well as crumpled railings and a mound of debris where the building had stood.

No casualties have been reported so far, though CCTV said people were trapped in the rubble and "a rescue operation is under way".

The broadcaster said "fire and emergency response department workers have rushed to the scene" and "the specific casualty situation is under investigation". (AFP)