Off the wire
• Argentina arrests 7 Syrians suspected of human trafficking  • Aussie youth playing "Russian roulette" with drugs at nationwide music festival: MP  • Xinhua China news advisory -- Dec. 7  • Roundup: "Ideas Boom" and innovation - cornerstone of Australia's economic future: PM  • Mexico eyes enormous opportunity for its farm produce in Chinese market  • 1st LD: Obama calls California shooting act of terrorism  • U.S. coalition airstrike targets Syrian army for first time  • Australian anti-nuclear activists greet vessel carrying waste  • Senior Australian union officials face 15 years in jail over alleged blackmail  • Chinese shares open higher Monday  
You are here: 　 Home

Six officials arrested after central China karaoke fire

Xinhua, December 7, 2015 Adjust font size:

Six officials have been arrested and 12 others disciplined after a karaoke bar fire killed 12 people and injured 28 others in central China's Henan Province, according to local authorities.

The announcement was made by a Henan provincial team who investigated the fire, which occurred on Dec. 15 last year in Changyuan County, Henan.

County fire chief Zhi Xiaoqiang, Deputy police chief Zhao Gewei and four others from the county police, tourism and fire authorities were arrested on charges of dereliction of duty in January, according to the government statement.

Deputy county chief Zhang Xuefeng and 11 other officials were given disciplinary punishment, including dismissal, demotion and warnings.

The investigation team concluded that the Huangguan karaoke bar had never obtained a fire safety permit until it was closed following the fire. Karaoke business owner Kong Weikai was also arrested following the deadly blaze. Endi