4 killed in C China elementary school stampede

WUHAN - A stampede that caused the deaths of four students in Central China's Hubei province on Wednesday was attributed to dereliction of duty, according to local officials.

At 6:15 am, hundreds of students were crowded at the entrance of a dormitory at the Qinji Primary School in the city of Laohekou, the municipal government said.

Students stand by the scene of a stampede accident at the Qinji Elementary School in Xueji county of Xiangyang, Central China's Hubei province, Feb 27, 2013. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Two teachers who were on duty failed to open the gate on time. When it did open, the students rushed in simultaneously, triggering a stampede, the government said.

After the incident, 11 students were rushed to a local hospital, where four of them were confirmed to be deceased.

As of 3 pm Wednesday, three seriously injured students were still receiving medical treatment, although their vital signs are stable with no major organ damage.

Eight officials, including the director of the municipal education bureau, have been removed from their posts, the city government said.

The school's principal and another school employee are being investigated along with another two people who were involved in the incident.

There is only one entrance on the ground floor of the school's temporary dormitory, which used to be a four-story classroom. Over 500 students were boarding at the school.

Classes were held at the school on Wednesday.

The school has demolished the gate.