GUANGZHOU, May 3 -- The death toll from a bridge collapse in south China's Guangdong Province rose to seven after two seriously injured people died in hospital, said an official.

The stone arch bridge in Liangkengkou village, Gaozhou City collapsed at 1 p.m. Saturday, said a publicity official of Gaozhou.

More than 300 rescuers pulled 26 people out of the debris, with five of them dead and eight others seriously injured.

The rescue operation ended late night Saturday after an investigation showed no more people were buried.

The unlicensed bridge was being built by the village itself. The local government ordered to suspend the project in April, but its construction resumed covertly during the past Worker's Day holiday, said the official.

The construction contractor is under police custody.