3 jailed for deaths of 6 pupils
Print Edition
THE headmaster of a primary school in Kunming, capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, and two members of his staff were yesterday sentenced to prison terms for their roles in an accident that caused the deaths of six pupils.
The incident happened on September 25 last year at the Mingtong Primary School, when a heavy-duty gym mat fell down a staircase packed with hundreds of youngsters.
The single-mattress-sized pad knocked several children off their feet and sparked panic as dozens of others stumbled and fell.
Six pupils lost their lives in the ensuing crush and 35 others were injured.
At the Panlong District People’s Court yesterday, physical education teacher Li Pengcheng was found guilty of violating health and safety rules by leaving two large mats — one of which fell — at the top of the stairs, China News Service reported.
He was sentenced to one year in prison. His lawyer said he will not appeal.
Li Lan, the school’s headmaster and Yang Lin, his deputy, were sentenced to two years, and 18 months, respectively, the report said.
They were found guilty of breaching health and safety rules, which put their young charges at risk.
Their lawyers said they have yet to decide whether or not to lodge an appeal.
The deputy head of Panlong district, the Kunming deputy education chief and five other officials were sacked following the tragedy, the report said. The families of the children killed were each paid 800,000 yuan (US$129,000) in compensation.
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