Accident accountability

The dust seems to have finally settled nowthe State Council has approved investigation reports on two major recent industrial accidents in Jilin province and determined liability.

Both accidents, one at a local coal mine in March that claimed 36 lives and injured 12, the other at a poultry processing facility in June that killed 121 people and left 76 injured, were found to be "particularly severe accidents induced by human error". As a result, 35 people, including corporate managers and government officials, are under criminal investigation, 73 others have been given disciplinary penalties.

The government of Jilin province received harsh criticism and a number of intermediate-level officials were removed from their positions. And more, including two of its deputy governors, received demerits.