Two education officials have been sacked following the tragic deaths of six pupils in a boarding school in north China's Shanxi Province, according to the provincial public security bureau.

Two boys and four girls aged six to 10 died last Monday at a primary school in Nanyao Village, Puxian County after suffering carbon monoxide poisoning as a generator was moved next door to their bedroom. Fumes leaked into their room killing them within an hour.

Kang Chengjie, deputy director of the Puxian Education Bureau, and Dong Quanlai, a township education official, were both sacked.

Nanyao village primary school has only 11 pupils, the other five students had been transferred to a nearby school.

The provincial education department has ordered local schools to strengthen safety checks and management.

(Xinhua News Agency December 12, 2006)