11 officials probed for fatal highway blast

BEIJING - Chinese prosecutors are investigating 11 government officials responsible for a fatal highway explosion that killed at least 43 in central China, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said on Friday.

Prosecutors have opened a case and taken compulsory measures against them, the SPP said in a statement.

An initial investigation revealed misfeasance in the actions of 11 officials in charge of safety production supervision, highway traffic police, road transportation, police vehicle management and quality and technical supervision.

A van loaded with alcohol rear-ended a passenger coach on July 19 on a section of the Hukun (Shanghai to Kunming) Expressway in central China's Hunan Province. A huge explosion followed and flames engulfed five vehicles, which killed 43 and injured others.

The SPP, local procuratorates and a State Council investigation task force jointly investigated the accident to see whether dereliction of duty was involved.

"Duty-related crimes behind the accident should be seriously dealt with," said the statement.