Asia-Pacific News

Signal design flaw blamed for deadly high-speed rail crash in China

Jul 28, 2011, 7:44 GMT

China has been pushing vigorously to sell its high-speed rail technology abroad, but concern over the maturity and safety of its technology came into reality as two bullet trains crashed into each other on 23 July. PA/Qilai Shen

Beijing - A weekend train collision that killed 39 people in eastern China was caused by design flaws in railway signal equipment, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported Thursday.

The signal system failed to turn a green light to red after it was struck by lightening, causing a high-speed train Saturday to plough into the back of bullet train near Wenzhou in Zheijian province, the report said, citing an investigation by the Shanghai Railway Bureau.

The bullet train was stalled on a viaduct also after being struck by lightning, and four train cars were sent plunging 30 metres of its side. The accident injured 192 people.

An Lusheng, head of the Shanghai Railway Bureau, was quoted as saying that the incident revealed the vulnerabilities of the safety infrastructure and management of China's railways.

The accident has triggered widespread mistrust among the public as China carries out plans to expand its high-speed rail network across the country.

Rising aggravation to the official response to the accident prompted Prime Minister Wen Jiabao to visit the accident site Thursday and promise a 'transparent' investigation that would 'stand the test of history.'

He promised punishment for those responsible and said he urged the Railways Ministry to give 'an honest answer' to China's people on whether it had fulfilled what he called its primary responsibility, to save lives.

'I called the minister of railways soon after the crash happened, and what I said to him was just two words: 'Save people',' Wen said.

He also said safety was the priority in the development of China's high-speed network.

The maker of the signal equipment, the Beijing National Railway Research and Design Institute of Signal and Communication, apologized for the accident and expressed condolences and regret to the victims and their families.