Top work safety body to oversee probe into fatal incidents

The Office of the Work Safety Commission under China's State Council?said it will supervise the investigation into a number of recent fatal accidents that have occurred across China, according to a notice released by the Ministry of Emergency Management on Sunday.

The most recent of the four incidents under investigation happened on Sunday in Yantai, Shandong province, when a machinery-related accident at an auto parts company claimed three lives.

On Saturday, meanwhile, three people died while rock climbing and rappelling near Yanlie Mountain of Jiujiang, Jiangxi province.

Other incidents include a fire in a self-built residence in Meizhou, Guangdong, on Saturday, which caused three deaths and two injuries; and an accident on Friday at an auto parts company in Zhaoqing, Guangdong province, which resulted in three deaths and four injuries.

The work safety watchdog has instructed local authorities in the affected areas step-up investigations in line with relevant regulations, urging strict adherence to the principle of "not letting go until the cause of the accident is identified, responsible individuals are held accountable, relevant personnel are educated and practical corrective measures are implemented".

The office also called for the learning of lessons to prevent and curb major and catastrophic accidents and avoid the resurgence of significant safety threats.