Neighbours’ homes collapse after Chinese official digs huge illegal basement
Fifteen people were left homeless after the basement caved in
A Chinese businessman and city legislator has come under fire after his 18-metre-deep illegal basement caused his neighbours’ houses to collapse.
The ground around Li Baojun’s home near Hou Hai, Xicheng district, in central Beijing caved in on Saturday, bringing with it four houses in a nearby courtyard and leaving a 15x5 metre hole, according to media reports.
No injuries were reported, but 15 people were left homeless.
Initial investigations showed that the construction of an 18-metre-deep illegal basement in other houses in the courtyard, which were certified historical buildings, had caused the collapse. Builders of the basement did not have a permit from the local heritage authorities, a project supervisor, or even an architectural plan to follow, the Beijing Morning Post reported.
Li, a member of the Xuzhou municipal political consultative conference, was found to be the owner of the properties. Li is also president of Haiying Group, a Jiangsu-based private corporation with more than 10 subsidiaries whose businesses range from auto parts manufacturing to advertising, the Beijing Youth Daily reported.