BOGOTA, April 28 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a construction project that collapsed on Thursday in the northern Colombian city of Cartagena has climbed to 10, while four people remain missing, local authorities said on Friday.
Another 21 people, mainly laborers, were injured in the incident, which has shone the spotlight on unscrupulous developers who flout building regulations.
"Those responsible for this project ... will be captured soon to be brought to justice," said Dumek Turbay, the governor of Bolivar department, where the city is located, after it came to light the project permit was for a three-story building, but the actual plans called for eight floors.
"Construction projects need to be carried out in keeping with the respective permits, and need to guarantee the safety of the workers," Turbay told reporters.
Those missing are likely to still be under the rubble of the five- or six-story structure that caved in after one of the supporting columns snapped.
Cartagena's Fire Department said Thursday heavy rains in recent days could have weakened the structure, leading to its collapse.
Survivor Gabriel Ladeuth, a 32-year-old construction worker who was on the second floor working on the walls when the structure fell, said he was able to leap out into the street after hearing the sudden roar of falling debris, but many of his companions were not as lucky.
