4 killed in central China school stampede

Zhang Jiali, who was injured in a stampede accident that took place at the Qinji Elementary School, receives medical treatment in a hospital in Laohekou City of Xiangyang, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 27, 2013.

A stampede that caused the deaths of four students in central China's Hubei province on Wednesday was attributed to dereliction of duty, according to local officials.

At 6:15 a.m., hundreds of students were crowded at the entrance of a dormitory at the Qinji Primary School in the city of Laohekou, the municipal government said.

Two teachers who were on duty failed to open the gate on time. When it did open, the students rushed in simultaneously, triggering a stampede, the government said.

After the incident, 11 students were rushed to a local hospital, where four of them were confirmed to be deceased.

As of 3 p.m. Wednesday, three seriously injured students were still receiving medical treatment, although their vital signs are stable with no major organ damage.

Eight officials, including the director of the municipal education bureau, have been removed from their posts, the city government said.

The school's principal and another school employee are being investigated along with another two people who were involved in the incident.

There is only one entrance on the ground floor of the school's temporary dormitory, which used to be a four-story classroom. Over 500 students were boarding at the school.

Classes were held at the school on Wednesday.

The school has demolished the gate.