China puts 25 under prosecutorial investigation for deadly accident

(File photo from Baidu of the accident on November 24, 2016 in Fengcheng, Jiangxi province when a power plant collapsed)

Twenty-five suspects have been put under prosecutorial investigation, following a deadly construction platform collapse in eastern China last year, the Supreme People's Procuratorate announced Friday.

The 25 are suspected of dereliction of duty, abuse of power, accepting bribes, and embezzlement or bribery.

On Nov. 24, 2016, a platform for the construction of a cooling tower at a power plant collapsed in Fengcheng, Jiangxi Province, killing 73, injuring two and causing a direct economic loss of about 102 million yuan (15.48 million U.S. dollars).

Construction of the cooling tower was part of the expansion of Fengcheng Power Plant, which is owned by Jiangxi Ganneng. The tower was being built by Hebei Yineng Tower Engineering.

The investigation has found a number of officials overlooked work safety, engaged in illegal acts or irregularities in bidding, and embezzled or privately divided state assets.

Among those being investigated are project construction director Deng Yongchao, chief construction quality supervisor Yang Feiyun, and Zhang Zhixiang, an official with the central China bureau of the National Energy Administration.