Rescuers search for survivors at the accident site in Lucheng industrial district in Wenzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 11, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua]

Authorities in Wenzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, have vowed to hold accountable those that were responsible for the collapse of the residential buildings that left at least 22 dead.

"We will insist on the principles of seeking truth based on facts. On the basis of a thorough investigation of the cause of the incident, those responsible for the incident will be sternly punished and held accountable according to regulations and the law."

The municipal government said earlier on Tuesday that of the twenty eight victims pulled from the debris, only six survived.

Search and rescue work has wrapped up at the site of the collapse, which happened early in the morning on Monday.

Officials have said the collapsed buildings were built by villagers, but not dilapidated.

Preliminary investigations shows unstable foundations could have brought down the houses that were built near a river.

Local authorities also vowed to spare no effort to treat the injured and comfort the relatives of the victims.