Twenty-four officials held accountable over fatal Liaoning vehicle rollover

Twenty-four public officials have been held accountable over a vehicle rollover accident in Fushun, Liaoning province, that killed four people last August, China Central Television reported.

An investigation report released by provincial emergency management authorities said the accident occurred on Aug 12, when a vehicle carrying 50 tourists from a scenic area's service center overturned, leaving four people dead, one seriously injured, and four others with minor injuries.

The vehicle was traveling at a severely excessive speed while navigating a sharp turn, causing it to lose balance and overturn, the report said, adding that neither the driver nor the passengers were wearing seat belts as required.

The investigation found multiple safety problems, including hazards on roads and traffic facilities, frequent speeding during peak periods due to insufficient transport capacity, and weak safety management in tourist transfer operations.

It said authorities responsible for transportation, culture and tourism, and public security had failed to fully perform their regulatory and supervisory duties.

The driver has been placed under compulsory measures by judicial authorities. The report also recommended that three managers of the passenger transport company involved be referred to judicial authorities for further investigation.