feared

"The underground life is ruthless. Many do not make it out alive," said the 52-year-old, who spoke to the BBC on condition that his real name was not used as he feared reprisals.

Some tenant advocates feared that by opening up existing multifamily areas to significant new development, it would cause a wave of displacement as existing buildings are knocked down.

Immigrant workers had initially hesitated to come forward because they feared retaliation by the plant owner, including a call to local police or Immigration and Customs Enforcement, she said.

Locals feared that the proposed bill would trigger an influx of Russian investment, pricing them out of the property market and further strengthening Moscow's grip on the region.

A car has been driven into a crowd of people outside a primary school in China's Hunan province, with multiple injuries feared.