Fracture of Prefabricated Floor Slab in a Chongqing Building
An accident involving the fracture of a prefabricated floor slab in a Chongqing building resulted in 2 deaths and 3 injuries. The cause of the accident was that the temporary load stacked on the second-floor slab exceeded its bearing capacity, leading to brittle fracture and collapse of the slab.
Details of the Accident
At around 12:00 PM on April 11, 2024, a three-story prefabricated building in Fengshou Community, Guanba Town, Zhong County, Chongqing, experienced a prefabricated floor slab fracture accident. The ground floor of the building was used as a mahjong parlor, and the second floor served as a goods warehouse. On that noon, due to the temporary load stacked on the second-floor slab exceeding its bearing capacity, the slab underwent brittle fracture and collapsed. This accident caused severe casualties, with 2 deaths and 3 injuries. After the incident, local residents spontaneously participated in the rescue efforts. The county's emergency management bureau, housing and urban-rural development bureau, and other departments promptly carried out on-site disposal work. The county government also established a special task force for post-accident handling. Currently, among the injured, 1 has been discharged from the hospital, and 2 are continuing treatment with no life-threatening conditions. The specific cause of the accident is still under further investigation.
Potential Safety Hazards of Prefabricated Buildings
In addition to the above accident, on December 23, 2025, a user reported that their hollow prefabricated building constructed before 1990 had numerous safety hazards due to its long age. Roof leakage is a relatively common issue. Long-term exposure to wind, sun, and rain has caused the roof's waterproof layer to age and become damaged, allowing rainwater to seep into the interior. Cracks in the main walls are also a problem that cannot be ignored. As the building's service life increases, the wall materials gradually age. Additionally, external environmental factors such as temperature changes and foundation settlement can lead to cracks in the walls. Deformation of the main structure indicates that the overall structure of the building may have undergone deformation, which affects its stability and safety. Severe collapse and fracture around the retaining wall pose a direct threat to the building's safety. The retaining wall is an important structure supporting the building's foundation. Once it collapses and fractures, it may lead to instability of the building's foundation and trigger more serious accidents.
