Rescue operations are underway as people are being pulled out of a collapsed building in Changsha in central China's Hunan Province, the local fire agency said on Friday.

The incident took place at around 12:24 pm in Changsha city's Wangcheng District.

The total area of ​​the building was about 700 square meters. 

A China Media Group report said the first floor of the building housed shops, the second floor catering establishments, and the third floor a private cinema, while the rest of the floors housed a small hotel.

(Cover: the site of the collapsed building in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, April 29, 2022. /CFP)