Official admits fees to move corpses are 'unreasonable'

Zhao Baige, the executive vice-president of the Red Cross Society of China, pointed out at a news conference on Thursday that it was unreasonable and unacceptable for the Red Cross branch in Beijing to charge the families of flood victims to move corpses.

"Although the charge for transportation and treatment costs was approved by the Beijing municipal price-making authority and health bureau, that was still unreasonable given it was during a huge disaster, and we must find out a better way to improve the quality and level of our rescue services," said Zhao.

Chinese Internet users revealed that emergency buses from an RCSC-affiliated rescue center charged 620 yuan ($100) to help transfer the bodies of people who died during a severe rainstorm in Beijing on July 21, the heaviest rainstorm in six decades that left at least 77 residents dead in the capital.