The number

11 officials

under investigation by prosecutors for being responsible for a highway explosion that killed at least 43 people in Central China, the Supreme People's Procuratorate said on Friday. A van loaded with alcohol rear-ended a passenger coach on July 19 on the Shanghai-Kunming Expressway in Hunan province. A huge explosion followed, and flames engulfed up to five vehicles. An initial investigation revealed misfeasance on the part of 11 officials in charge of safety production supervision, highway traffic police, road transportation, police vehicle management, and quality and technical supervision.