Briefly

Officials punished over department store fire

In connection with a department store fire in Zigong, Sichuan province, 19 individuals suspected of criminal activities have been placed under investigation and 32 public officials have been punished, the provincial discipline inspection and supervision commission announced on Wednesday. The fire occurred on July 17, 2024, in a 14-story building located in a high-tech zone of the city, leaving 16 people dead and 39 others injured. It resulted in direct economic losses of 26.7 million yuan ($3.65 million), according to an investigation report. The 19 individuals include legal representatives of the building management and those responsible for fire protection engineering design, construction and maintenance. They have been placed under investigation by the provincial public security department. A total of 32 public officials from various government bodies — including the departments of commerce and housing and urban-rural development — and fire and rescue agencies have received party and administrative disciplinary penalties, such as criticism and education, warnings, removal from office and demotion.

Hydrogen drone flies for 30 hours nonstop

An independently developed Chinese hydrogen-powered drone recently completed a 30-hour nonstop flight, a record for such aircraft produced in the country, according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China. The 50 kilogram-class hydrogen drone was jointly developed by AVIC Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Co and Tsinghua University, AVIC said. The aircraft completed the record flight in Dujiangyan, Sichuan province.

Xinhua