TAIYUAN, April 23 (Xinhua) -- A total of 42 public servants have been punished over a fire that killed 26 people and injured 38 others at a coal mine company building in north China's Shanxi Province.
In response to the negligence and dereliction of duty in this accident, the provincial discipline inspection and supervision organs have taken stern measures against 42 public servants from various departments and the governments at various levels, according to the investigation report released on Tuesday.
Additionally, coercive measures have been taken against 18 individuals from the company by Shanxi police.
The fire broke out on Nov. 16, 2023, in the bathroom on the second floor of a building of the private Yongju coal mine company, in Lishi District of Lyuliang City.
An investigation showed that the fire was directly caused by a short circuit in the main power supply line of the motor above a laundry basket in the dressing area of the bathroom. The short circuit ignited the combustibles in the basket and led to the fire, which was not dealt with properly at an early stage.
The mine company also exceeded the limit of installed electric baskets, laid power supply lines for the laundry baskets and stored comburent in the bathroom, which is in violation of relevant regulations. ■