China probes 11, detains 12 for Tianjin blasts
BEIJING (PNA/Xinhua) – China’s top procuratorate on Thursday announced its investigation into 10 officials and port executives for alleged neglect of duty in the Tianjin warehouse explosions, which killed at least 139 people.
The officials under investigation include Wu Dai, head of Tianjin Municipal Transportation Commission, and Zheng Qingyue, president of Tianjin Port (Group) Co., Ltd.
Another official, Wang Jinwen, who is a senior official with the Ministry of Transport, is also being investigated for suspected abuse of power.
An investigation by the SPP found Wang violated the law to help Tianjin Ruihai International Logistics Co. Ltd., owner of the warehouse that was the site of the blasts and allegedly handled dangerous chemicals, pass safety evaluations and obtain approvals to handle hazardous materials.
The 11 officials have been placed under compulsive measures, which include summons by force, bail, residential surveillance, detention and arrest.
According to a separate statement by the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) on Thursday, the police have detained 12 suspects involved in the massive blasts that devastated the port area.
The 12 people include Yu Xuewei, chairman of Tianjin International Ruihai Logistics Co. Ltd., vicechairman Dong Shexuan, and Zeng Fanqiang, an employee with a safety evaluation firm suspected of illegally helping Ruihai acquire safety evaluation papers, according to the MPS.
The MPS said the detainees are suspected of illegally storing dangerous materials.
The MPS statement added that suspects Zhi Feng, general manager of Ruihai, and deputy manager Shang Qingsen are under residential surveillance.
The SPP statement said local government departments, including transportation management authorities, production safety regulatory agencies, and land and resources authorities, are accountable for the explosions.
Customs personnel of the Tianjin Customs District were found to have been slack and irresponsible in supervising the illegal dangerous chemical business run by Ruihai, the statement said. The personnel involved are also suspected of illegally issuing customs clearing permits to the company and allowing it to carry out illegal business activities, the statement said.
Tianjin Port is also responsible for the accident because it failed to respond to potential safety risks and illegal business by Ruihai, the statement added.
Two blasts ripped through a warehouse in Tianjin Port, where large amounts of toxic chemicals were stored, including around 700 tons of sodium cyanide, at around 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 12.