China Punishes 54 Officials Over Fatal High-Speed Rail Crash

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-12-28/china-punishes-54-officials-over-fatal-high-speed-rail-crash.html

China punished 54 officials and ordered the railway ministry to improve management of its high- speed rail system after a government investigation found a fatal train crash was caused by mismanagement and design flaws.

Former railway minister Liu Zhijun and Zhang Shuguang, former deputy chief engineer at the ministry, are among those most responsible for the July 23 accident, according to the report issued by the State Council yesterday. Liu and Zhang were removed before the crash earlier this year over “serious violations of laws and discipline,” it said.

Those found responsible will either be disciplined by the Communist Party or removed from their posts, according to the report, which also criticized the government’s handling of the rescue effort and cleanup. The accident raised concerns over the showcase high-speed rail network’s safety amid its rapid expansion and triggered public outrage.