Seven die as Chinese elevator plummets 34 floors

BEIJING, Nov 14 (Reuters) An elevator in eastern China plummeted 34 floors, killing seven workers and severely injuring 10 today, the latest in a string of construction and industrial accidents across the country, state media said.

The accident happened at a nearly finished block of flats in Wuxi City in coastal Jiangsu province, when 17 construction workers entered the elevator around noon.

It plunged more than 100 metres, according to www.china.com.cn.

It did not specify if the elevator was internal, or a construction lift outside the building.

China in May launched a crackdown on deadly accidents in mines, factories and building sites, demanding that officials and managers do more to lower the tide of injury and death accompanying the nation's economic boom.

REUTERS ARB RN1557