Shenzhen authorities have detained five more people, who are reported to be executives of a company implicated in the tragic landslide last month that left 77 people unaccounted for. This adds to the 11 individuals who were already arrested last month, bringing the total number of people arrested for the incident to 16.

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Chinese authorities are blaming violations of construction safety standards for the disaster that hit Shenzhen city on Dec. 20 following the collapse of a pile of construction waste and mud, which toppled nearby buildings. The State Council has already affirmed the landslide was not caused by a geological or natural disaster but is an industrial accident due to non-adherence to work safety procedures. 

Police officers earlier placed 11 individuals, who were found legally culpable for the tragic incident, under "coercive measures." Among those suspects were the legal council, deputy manager and supervisors of Shenzhen Yixianglong Investment Development, the company that was in-charge of the dump's operations. 

A case of negligence has been filed against all 16 individuals, according to Xinhua. Meanwhile, Shenzhen Yixianglong Investment Development continues to refuse to give any statement over the matter.

The Shenzhen landslide is the latest tragedy that raises questions over China's policy on industrial safety standards. Following the disaster, Beijing intensified its efforts in enhancing safety precautions by eliminating hazardous and pollution-causing companies. Authorities have also persuaded companies to upgrade their safety guidelines and failure to comply will attract sanctions. The city has further allocated a budget of 15 million yuan ($19.25 million) to regulate and prevent potential hazards and realign gasoline, gas and chemical pipes.  

TagsYixianglong Investment Development, Work Safety Law