Official tried for bribery in China's worst bridge collapse

CHANGSHA, June 12 (Xinhua) -- A road administration official involved in China's worst bridge collapse last year has had his first trial over dereliction of duty and corruption charges.

Hu Dongsheng, head of the road administration of the Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of Xiangxi in central Hunan Province, allegedly loosened the supervision and administration of the bridge construction, according to the People's Procuratorate of Youxian County in the province.

Hu was also accused of having taken bribes as former general manager of Fengda Co., proprietor of the bridge in Fenghuang County.

The 328-m bridge, which was under construction over the Tuojiang River, collapsed on Aug. 13 last year, killing 64 and injuring 22.

Wu Zhihua, former deputy general manager and chief engineer of the construction company, stood trial last month for allegedly taking bribes and lowering technical standards of the bridge's main arch without the approval of the designer.

Another three road officials, Chen Xin, Hou Maobiao and Zhang Fei, also stood trial. The verdicts have not yet been passed.

The government announced that 32 officials were disciplined for their involvement in the collapse, confirming that the collapse was a man-made accident.

The 32 officials include some from the local communications department and road authorities,