Authorities in northeast China's Changchun City are investigating the death of a woman who was buried under debris after several hundred thugs carried out a forced demolition of her home late at night.

Police didn't respond to her family's call for help until 36 hours later and she was dead by the time officers arrived, Southern Metropolis Daily reported yesterday.

Liu Shuxiang, 50, was buried under the rubble of a collapsed building when dozens of excavators and several hundred gangsters holding sticks torn down 14 dormitory buildings of Changchun Film Studio on March 26 in Changchun, capital of Jilin Province.

Some residents were dragged out of the buildings by the thugs, who didn't have enough time to remove Liu from her apartment. The demolitions continued until 4am on March 27 when the thugs left, the report said.

Liu's relatives phoned her after the demolition started and urged her to get out as soon as possible. But Liu only said, "I got stuck in here," before the phone call was cut off, the report said.

Liu's husband called police at 2am on March 27, but they didn't arrive until 2pm the next day. Liu's body was removed two hours later.

Officers at the local police station told the newspaper they weren't aware of the incident or the victim.

Changchun Xinke Real Estate Development Co assigned a firm to carry out the demolition. The company proceeded without government approval, China National Radio reported on Tuesday.