Chinese Government Summons Local Officials to Enforce Discipline After Holiday Fatal Accidents

Published 07 Oct.2020 14:37(KST)

State Council summons officials from Shanxi and Jilin provinces over fatal accidents, orders prompt measures

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] The Chinese State Council summoned the heads of local governments where major accidents occurred during the National Day holiday and instructed them to establish safety measures.

According to the WeChat account of the Ministry of Emergency Management (China's version of KakaoTalk) on the 7th, the State Council's Work Safety Committee summoned government officials from Shanxi Province and Jilin Province on the 6th, respectively, and instructed them to analyze the causes of the safety accidents that occurred consecutively this year and take effective measures.

Earlier, on the first day of the National Day holiday, October 1, a fire broke out at the ice and snow sculpture exhibition hall in a recreational area in Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, resulting in 13 deaths and 15 injuries.

In Linfen, Shanxi Province, a restaurant collapsed during a birthday party on August 29, killing 29 people.

The Ministry of Emergency Management stated, "This year, Shanxi Province has the highest number of 'major accidents' and fatalities nationwide," adding, "In recent years, many casualties have occurred due to disasters and accidents such as forest fires and landslides."

In the case of Jilin Province, on the 4th, in Songyuan, a truck collided with an agricultural tractor and then crashed into another truck coming from the opposite lane, resulting in 18 deaths and 1 injury. On April 15, 12 people died in a traffic accident in Songyuan as well.

The State Council pointed out that "life safety must be prioritized," emphasizing the need to clarify responsibility and eliminate blind spots in supervision and management.