Senior safety official Li Yizhong said those responsible would be punished severely if the reports were true.

The claims were made by UK newspaper the Sunday Times, citing unnamed witnesses to the deaths. The paper said families had been paid to keep quiet.

Earlier, the organisers of the Beijing Olympics denied the story.

When asked by journalists whether he could confirm the report, Mr Li replied: Reports Say Germany and China to Mend Strained Relations ...
Hong Kong in democracy test poll ... "This is the first I have heard of this.

"I will ask the Beijing work safety watchdog to conduct an investigation and if this is found to be the case, severe punishment will be administered according to the law."

China's work safety record is poor - thousands of people die every year in mines, factories and on construction sites.

But with the world's focus falling on China during the Olympics, officials are keen to avoid any controversy.

(BBC)

<< Back