A total of 34 officials have been punished over a gas explosion that killed 26 people and injured 138 in the city of Shiyan in central China's Hubei Province, authorities said Friday.

The 34 officials are from the local government of Shiyan, including the district government, as well as the provincial department of housing and urban-rural development and the provincial market supervision administration, among others.

Seven were removed from their posts and the others were given disciplinary warnings or other penalties.

The gas explosion occurred on June 13 at 6:42 a.m. at a two-story trade market building in a residential community of the Zhangwan District.

According to the investigation, the explosion was caused by a gas leak due to a seriously corroded gas pipeline below the building.

The investigation also found that the company affiliated with China Gas, a gas operator that provides natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas to residents and businesses, was directly responsible for the explosion.

The general manager of the gas company surnamed Huang is among the 11 suspects related to the explosion nabbed by law enforcement.

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)