Executives lied about death toll

The death toll from a gas pipeline leak at a steel plant in Hebei province has risen to 21 after company executives admitted covering up 14 deaths, local authorities said on Friday.

Senior executives of the Hebei Puyang Iron and Steel Co Ltd confessed on Thursday night that the company had underreported the number of deaths, according to a statement released by Wu'an city government on Friday.

The gas leak killed at least 21 and injured nine, said Ji Zhuanru, head of the publicity department of Wu'an.