The governor of Shanxi province resigned yesterday to shoulder responsibility for last week's mudslide which has claimed the lives of at least 254 people.
Meng Xuenong , 59, who governed Shanxi for less than eight months, was replaced by Minister of Work Safety Wang Jun , who was named acting governor and deputy party chief, Xinhua reported. Mr Wang is also head of the State Council accident team investigating the disaster.
Mr Meng's resignation was accepted by the Shanxi Provincial People's Congress Standing Committee yesterday afternoon. Deputy governor Zhang Jianmin was removed from his post. However, Shanxi party chief Zhang Baoshun emerged unscathed. China News Service quoted official sources as saying the move was taken to hold officials accountable for the disaster.
As Shanxi governor and the deputy governor responsible for work safety, Mr Meng and Mr Zhang had to shoulder the leadership responsibility, CNS said. On Thursday, Mr Meng apologised to the victims' families and promised to undergo self-reflection.
Li Yuanchao , head of the Communist Party's organisation department, State Councillor Ma Kai and Zhang Baoshun attended the meeting.
The mudslide in Taosi township was triggered when a dam holding iron ore tailings at an illegal mine burst following heavy rain, engulfing downstream villages and an outdoor market crowded with shoppers.
