Twenty-seven people, including several senior municipal government officials, faced disciplinary punishment or criminal charges after being held responsible for hosting an “unprofessional” ultra-marathon 100-kilometre cross-country mountain race in the China’s north-western province of Gansu turned deadly on May 22.
A total of 172 people participated in the mountain marathon. While eight sustained minor injuries, 151 were confirmed safe. Most competitors were wearing thin shorts and T-shirts and the tragedy was caused by a sudden change in weather, according to media reports.
Baiyin ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) secretary Su Jun and Baiyin mayor Zhang Xuchen are among those who have been given disciplinary punishment, China’s state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The tragedy was caused by a sudden change in weather and the province had set up an investigation team to look further into the cause of the incident, Baiyin City mayor Zhang Xuchen, who was among the punished, had said.