Kunming rail accident spurs safety overhaul nationwide

Following last week's fatal railway accident that killed 11 people, China's National Railway Administration has ordered a nationwide safety overhaul ahead of the upcoming Chinese New Year travel rush.

Railway operators and builders have been instructed to tighten measures, strengthen oversight, and eliminate safety loopholes.

The orders were issued during a meeting convened Monday by the administration to implement directives from central leadership.

Chaired by Song Xiude, the administration's Party chief and minister, the meeting called on all affiliated institutions — including China State Railway Group — to learn from the tragedy and conduct a comprehensive assessment of railway safety.

The accident occurred early Thursday on a curved section of track in Kunming, Yunnan province. A test train, numbered 55537 and checking seismic monitoring equipment, struck a group of maintenance workers who had entered an active line, leaving 11 dead and two injured.

In response, the administration demanded strengthened risk control throughout construction, with an emphasis on stemming risk in the cradle. It also called for enhanced personnel management, safety education, and stricter oversight of outsourced construction activities.

A full analysis of existing safety vulnerabilities will be carried out, covering newly opened lines, newly commissioned equipment, and winter labor safety. Fire prevention measures will be reinforced, and preparedness for extreme winter weather — such as snow, ice, and freezing rain — will be heightened.

The meeting underscored the need to prioritize life and safety above all else and to maintain a proactive, vigilant approach to risk management. It also stressed the political responsibility of ensuring railway safety and stability, urging unified thinking and heightened awareness across the system.

Wang Chongxian, representing the State Council's production safety committee, attended the meeting and provided guidance.