China train disaster 'caused by human error'

BEIJING (AFP) - A train collision in east China that killed at least 70 people early Monday was caused by human error, state media reported citing preliminary investigations.

The official Xinhua news agency did not elaborate on the error behind the accident in east China's Shandong province, which also injured about 420 and was the worst to hit the nation's railways in more than a decade.

It added however that terrorism had been ruled out as a possible cause.

Chinese authorities have previously voiced concern about terrorist attacks ahead of the Olympics, which will be held in Beijing in August.

Two high-ranking railway officials were sacked on Monday, just hours after the collision, which occurred when a passenger train careered off the track in the early hours and slammed into another train.

Chen Gong lost his job as director of the railway bureau of Jinan, the capital of Shandong province, while Chai Tiemin, head of the Communist Party in the bureau, was also sacked, Xinhua said.

The two will now be subject to an investigation carried out by the railways ministry, according to the agency.

The site of the accident, near the city of Zibo, is about 70 kilometres (44 miles) from Jinan.

• Email Story
• IM Story
• Printable View
• Yahoo! Buzz

RECOMMEND THIS STORY

Recommend It:

Not at All Somewhat Moderately Highly Very Highly

Average (Not Rated)

» Recommended Stories