Multiple causes behind Beijing subway crash

Snowy conditions, inadequate braking distance among reasons for collision

The Beijing municipal government has released the results of an investigation into a subway accident that occurred in December, which resulted in three severe injuries and a total economic loss of approximately 9.5 million yuan ($1.32 million), according to a report in Beijing Daily on Monday.

An earlier report by the Beijing Commission of Transport said 515 people were sent to hospitals after the accident, with 102 suffering fractures.

The Beijing Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision conducted an accountability investigation, which classified the accident as a safety liability incident that resulted in multiple injuries.

The accident was attributed to various factors, including the extended braking distance of the train resulting from snowy weather, inadequate implementation of snowy weather response measures by the operating unit, and improper handling by both the train dispatcher and the driver.

At 6:52 pm on Dec 14, a Beijing subway train crashed into the rear of another train that had made an emergency stop ahead of it. Hundreds of people were injured. The municipal government established an investigation team to reconstruct in greater detail how the accident occurred to identify and hold accountable the parties responsible and to deal with injury and damage claims.

The preliminary investigation concluded that the root cause of the crash on the Changping line was slippery tracks due to snowy weather. The rear train, going downhill slightly, skidded while braking and was unable to stop, resulting in a collision with the rearmost carriage of the leading train.

Both trains were traveling from Xi’erqi Station to Life Science Park Station during the evening rush hour, with hundreds of passengers on board.

Eighteen individuals from the Beijing Subway and the Beijing Commission of Transport have been held accountable for the accident.

The public security authority has also opened an investigation against the responsible individuals, and the Beijing Subway Operation Company has taken action in accordance with regulations regarding the relevant personnel.