简体中文
An investigation into a deadly tunnel blast in northern China found a subsidiary of the China Railway Tunnel Group covered up the catastrophe... Which killed eight people and injured five more.
The acting governor of Shanxi province, Li Xiaopeng, says microbloggers played a key role in the government's probe.
PKG
The explosion occurred on a section of a railway tunnel under construction in Shanxi Province, on Christmas Day.
Eight people were killed and five others injured in the blast.
Authorities confirmed the explosion on December 30th, one day after it was uncovered by netizens - the country's increasingly vocal online population.
An initial investigation revealed the explosion was concealed by the construction project's manager, a subsidiary of the China Railway Tunnel Group...
And singled out illegal blasting, as the cause.
On Tuesday, the acting governor of Shanxi Province expressed his fury and shock.
SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) LI XIAOPENG, Acting governor of Shanxi Province:
"We are angry, for the severe explosion has been covered up. It violates law and morality. We will further investigate the case and punish those responsible according to law."
He also thanked netizens, whistleblowers and the media - who led authorities, to the China Railway Tunnel Group:
SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) LI XIAOPENG, Acting governor of Shanxi Province:
"They used weibo, texts and phone calls to report details to us during our investigation. They are the government's eyes."
Four people responsible have now been detained.
And the State Council's Work Safety Committee says the government will step up crackdowns on the concealment of fatal accidents and give greater punishments, to those responsible.
