3 executives plead guilty over deadly plant blast
Print Edition
Three executives have admitted liability for the explosion at a metal factory in east China’s Jiangsu Province last August in which 146 people died.
Wu Jitao, president of Kunshan Zhongrong Metal Products Co, was tried alongside general manager Lin Bochang and work safety supervisor Wu Shengxian on Tuesday at Kunshan City People’s Court.
All three pleaded guilty to the charge of causing a major safety accident, the Legal Daily reported yesterday.
“Lives are invaluable but they (the victims) lost their lives. I would like to take responsibility,” Wu was quoted as saying.
The explosion on August 2 at a wheel hub polishing workshop was caused by the ignition of excess metal dust. A total of 146 people were killed, 114 were injured and the economic loss was calculated at 351 million yuan (US$56.2 million).
An official investigation found that the incident was due to “serious dereliction of duty,” as the company was engaged in illegal production, and had substandard facilities and safety management procedures.
Lin was accused of failing to install blast-proof equipment inside the workshop and for asking unlicensed workers to install a dust-removal system.
His lack of knowledge meant that he did not take it seriously when he saw large amounts of metal dust, prosecutors said.
The court will deliver its verdict at a future date.
In December, the State Council said 18 people involved in the case would be prosecuted and 35 officials would be punished. Guan Aiguo, secretary of the Party’s Kunshan City committee, and Lu Jun, mayor of Kunshan, have since been removed from their posts.
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