Subway caves in; 17 workers missing

Beijing

Subway caves in; 17 workers missing

Rescuers searched today for 17 workers missing after a subway tunnel they were building in eastern China caved in, killing at least four people, the state news agency said.

A 250-foot-wide section of road over the site collapsed in Hangzhou on Saturday, trapping workers and creating a huge crater into which at least 11 vehicles plunged.

Poor construction quality is a chronic problem in China.

The official Xinhua News Agency said rescuers were pumping out water that had seeped into the tunnel from a nearby river and stood at 10 feet deep. At least 50 workers were underground at the time of the collapse

Four bodies had been recovered as of late Sunday. Those missing were believed to be construction workers, Xinhua said.

Jakarta, Indonesia

7.5 quake kills 2, buildings collapse

A powerful earthquake jolted eastern Indonesia today, killing at least two people, officials said.

The 7.5-magnitude quake struck off the coast of Sulawesi island overnight, sending thousands fleeing homes, hotels and even hospitals.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake struck 54 miles from Gorantalo, on Sulawesi island. It was centered 13 miles under the sea and was followed by two strong aftershocks.

Rustam Pakaya, the head of the Health Ministry's Crisis Center, said at least two people died, 37 were injured and more than 200 homes were damaged, some of them completely crumpled.

Gaza City, Gaza Strip

Israeli airstrike kills 4 extremists

An airstrike killed four Palestinians as they were firing mortars at Israel on Sunday, the latest in a surge of clashes that have rocked a 5-month-old truce between Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers.

In a separate incident, Palestinian rocket fire injured one Israeli.

With violence escalating, the cease-fire appears to be unraveling.

Also

Hospitalized: Authorities took former Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian from his jail cell to a hospital Sunday when a doctor detected an irregular heartbeat following Chen's five-day hunger strike over his arrest on corruption charges.

North Korea: The country's absolute leader Kim Jong Il attended two military performances, waving to performers at the end of one concert, state-run media reported over the weekend amid continued speculation about his health.

Exiles meet: Several hundred Tibetan exile leaders gathered in northern India today for a landmark meeting called by the Dalai Lama to discuss their struggle for autonomy from China.

Tibet: Chinese officials said 18 people have died after a bus overturned in Tibet.

Seattle Times news services