Factory roof collapses in China, killing 9

BEIJING—A roof collapse probably caused by a blizzard has killed nine people at a food processing factory in northeast China, state media and an official said Tuesday.

The nine people were killed during the lunchtime collapse at the plant in Mudanjiang city in Heilongjiang province on Monday, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. Citing emergency officials, Xinhua said the collapse probably was caused by blizzards.

A man from the local emergency response office confirmed the report, and said the plant was a food processing factory. He declined to identify himself, as is common with Chinese officials.

Xinhua said local authorities are preparing to carry out a safety check across the city following heavy snowfall.

Snow has closed roads and led to flight cancellations in the northeast this week.