The number of people confirmed dead following the collapse of a residential building in Jiangxi Province has reached six while eight others survived, authorities said on Sunday.

Eight others were rescued safely, with one person needed serious medical attention, from the debris of the damaged building in Pingxiang City, the official Xinhua news agency has reported.

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The rescue mission was officially concluded on Sunday, following a 34-hour rescue operation, after all of the 14 persons who were earlier reported missing were fully accounted for, with six of them already lifeless.

The 14 persons were trapped by debris after the three upper floors of the six-story building collapsed in Anyuan District, Pingxiang City last Friday afternoon.

Initial investigation showed that the building collapse was triggered by an alleged improper renovation works at an apartment on the fourth floor.

The upper levels of the six-story building crumbled in Xinxueqian Alley in Anyuan District at around 2:18 p.m. Friday. Six families lived on the fourth, fifth and sixth floors.

"I thought it was an earthquake. I heard a loud bang and felt vibrations," said Zhong Zhiyong in an interview with the official Xinhua news agency.

Zhon was home with his three-year-old grandson in their sixth-floor apartment when the accident happened.

"When I opened the door I saw the stairs had disappeared," he was quoted as saying.

The government of Pingxiang City has vowed to provide medical assistance to the injured survivor and take care of the families of those who perished. Among those rescued were construction workers.

The city government also said it will help in relocating the residents affected by the building collapse.

Following the incident, the provincial government of Jiangxi immediately issued a circular ordering the safety overhaul of all old residential buildings in the province.

TagsChina Building Collapse, China Accident, China Building