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11/04/2024 01:11:53 pm

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11 Chinese Officials Under Probe For Hunan Fatal Explosion

Debris of July 19 Fatal Crash in Hunan Province

(Photo : Reuters)

Eleven Chinese government officials are under probe in connection with a fatal highway explosion, which occurred two months ago and killed 43 individuals in Central China.

The Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) confirmed on Friday that prosecutors have filed a case, as well as have taken necessary measures against the officials in question.

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Initial investigations indicated the misfeasance of the officials who were responsible for highway traffic police, safety production supervision, police vehicle management and quality, technical supervision, and road transportation.

The explosion that occurred in China's central province of Hunan was ignited by the collision of a double-deck passenger bus and a van carrying flammable liquid at the Hukun Expressway.

At first, the crash sparked a fire which later became a massive explosion and destroyed five vehicles, killed 43 people, and injured six others. Four of the wounded victims suffered from severe burns.

According to the SPP, the investigations will determine if the officials would be considered responsible for the accident.

"Duty-related crimes behind the accident should be seriously dealt with," the SPP's statement indicated.

A joint investigation among the SPP, local procuratorates, and the State Council will be conducted to determine whether the accident could have been avoided if not for the negligence of those officials.

Meanwhile, a passenger bus that was travelling along the southeastern part of Xiamen caught fire and killed 42 of its passengers.

In 2012, another passenger bus transporting 15 children reportedly sank into a pond in Jiangxi after going off course.

In a separate incident, two law enforcement officers were detained prior to July's fiery explosion due to negligence for a collision that occurred in 2011.

In that instance, a passenger bus carrying 64 people crashed with a coal truck and led to the death of 20 individuals.

Based on records of China's transport ministry, highway deaths dropped to 60,000 in 2012 from the staggering 104,000 recorded in 2003. On the other hand, a 2011 research claimed that the actual number of accidents in the country is double than that of what the authorities are declaring.

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