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Three stand trial for bus accident that killed 35 in China

Xinhua, November 26, 2015 Adjust font size:

Three people stood trial Thursday over suspected abuse of power that may partly have led to a fatal bus accident in northwestern China's Shaanxi Province, which claimed 35 lives in May.

The three defendants, all staff with the transportation management station of Lintong District in Xi'an City, found the bus lacked a transport business license more than 20 days before the accident happened, according to the prosecutor.

However, they didn't stop it from operating nor did they seize the vehicle after their colleague intervened on behalf of the driver. They only fined the driver 3,000 yuan (around 470 U.S. dollars).

The three defendants broke the regulation and abused their power, which made it possible for the bus to continue providing illegal transportation services, said the prosecutor.

In May, the bus carrying 46 people fell into a ravine some 30 meters deep near a forest in Chunhua County. Twenty-five people died instantly and ten passed away in the hospital. The passengers were residents of nearby cities, mostly senior citizens.

The case was heard at the People's Court of Beilin District in Xi'an. The court will issue a verdict at a later date. Endi