Call for spending details after govt uses donations for fatal blaze compensation

SHANGHAI - Families affected by a deadly high-rise fire last year have questioned why authorities in this eastern metropolis are using public donations for compensation payments.

As of Sept 5, the Jing'an branch of the Shanghai Charity Foundation had received about 54.6 million yuan ($8.5 million) in donations, with 28.3 million yuan already given to victims and their relatives, according to a statement on Monday from the city government.

Concerned residents are demanding that a detailed list be published to break down where the donations have gone.