A shoe factory has collapsed in eastern China, killing six workers, the BBC quoted Chinese state media as saying on Saturday.

More than 50 people were working in the factory in the city of Wenling, in Zhejiang province, when it collapsed at around 16:00 local time (08:00 GMT) on Saturday.

A total of 49 people were rescued, 40 of whom were hospitalised.

A large pool built on the factory's roof was believed to be the cause. several hundred firefighters were involved in the rescue.