BEIJING - China has punished nearly a dozen military officers in connection with a plane crash in June that killed all 40 people on board, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Thursday in an apparent sign of growing accountability.

Three People's Liberation Army officers, including the deputy commander of the Nanjing Military Region, Jiang Jianzeng, were given demerit points, a penalty considered a disgrace that damages prospects for promotion, Xinhua news agency said, citing the Central Military Commission.

Another was sacked and one demoted, Xinhua said, adding six more were given either warnings or demerit points.

The cause of the June 3 crash of the military transport plane in the eastern province of Anhui was blamed on a loss of control due to components of the plane being frozen.

Xinhua said several military officials were also punished for negligence after 48 people were killed and another 60 injured in flash floods which washed away a barracks in July.

The deputy head of the military corps was sacked and being investigated by military prosecutors, Xinhua said. The head of the corps was demoted and another five received demerit points or serious warnings.