Rescuers help an injured woman out of the remains of the collapsed structure in south China's Guangdong Province on April 13, 2016. [Photo: weibo.com]

Twelve people died and two others remain missing when a temporary structure on a construction site collapsed after being hit by a crane on Wednesday morning in south China's Guangdong Province.

Local officials said the accident occurred at around 5:40 a.m. in Mayong Township, Dongguan, and an area of about 200 square meters was covered by the collapsed structure, which workers appear to have been using as a dormitory.

By 1:30 p.m., 14 people who had been pulled out remain in hospital, according to the city's information office. An earlier statement the office issued said 69 people managed to escape from the structure at the time of its collapse.

An initial investigation showed the crane was blown over in a gale.

More than 200 firefighters are searching for those still buried and 40 fire engines are on hand.