Seven people have been arrested in Shanghai in connection with a riverside building collapse in June, said local authorities Wednesday.

The seven, including Zhang Zhiqin, general manager of the Meidu Real Estate Company; Zhang Yaojie, chief executive officer of the Zhongxin Construction Company; and chief supervisor of the project Qiao Lei along with several other staff members, were suspected responsible for the building's collapse, said Lu Qinjian, a publicity official with the Minhang district procuratorate in Shanghai.

Investigation showed that the developers, rushing to finish the project, were digging the basement and piling soil beside the building, which caused an imbalance, bringing the building down, Lu said.

According to the 134th clause of the Criminal Law, those who flout regulations and cause major accidents will be jailed or detained. If the consequence of the accident is serious, jail terms could be three to seven years.

The nearly-completed 13-story building in the "Lotus Riverside" development in Minhang toppled in the morning of June 27, killing a worker.

(Xinhua News Agency August 12, 2009)