Beijing (AFP): Around 70 people were trapped after a hotel collapsed in China's eastern Fujian province on Saturday (March 7) evening, officials said.

Xinjia Hotel in Quanzhou city collapsed around 7.30pm (11.30GMT) and around 23 people had been rescued by 9.00pm, according to a local government statement.

The 80-room hotel was recently converted to a quarantine facility for people who had recent contact with Covid-19 patients, the People's Daily state newspaper reported.

State news agency Xinhua said rescue efforts were ongoing. -AFP