Chinese Prosecutors Investigate Bridge Collapse 　　Chinese prosecutors have launched an intensive investigation of three high-ranking local officials allegedly involved in the collapse of a southwest China bridge which killed 40 people. 　　The three officials have been detained and charged with taking bribes and dereliction of duty, said Zhao Dengju, deputy procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, at a press conference on January 20. 　　The officials are Lin Shiyuan, 37, deputy-secretary of Qijiang County Committee of the Chinese Communist Party; Zhang Jibu, 49, director of the county's Urban and Suburban Construction Commission; and Sun Li, 34, deputy director of the commission. 　　The heavy death toll resulting from the collapse of a 100-meter bridge in Qijiang County, Chongqing, shocked the nation. The collapse of the bridge, which was built a short three years ago, killed 40 people and left 14 injured. 　　Lin has been charged with accepting bribes and neglect of duty, with Zhang and Sun Li facing charges of dereliction of duty, according to Zhao. 　　The local public security bureau has also detained four people responsible for designing and constructing the bridge. 　　Zhao said prosecutors are engaged in an extensive investigation. HomeNews 1999-01-21 Page4 Full Story in Chinese