Five face criminal charges after deadly bus crash at Shandong school

An investigation into a fatal traffic accident in Tai'an, Shandong province, last year has recommended criminal charges against five individuals, according to a report released on Friday by the Shandong Provincial Department of Emergency Management.

The individuals facing charges include the bus driver, the general manager, and deputy general managers of the company operating the bus.

The accident occurred on September 3, 2024, when a bus plowed into a crowd of students and adults at the entrance of a middle school in Dongping county. Eleven people were killed, and 13 others were injured.

Investigators concluded that the primary cause was the bus driver's failure to follow safe driving practices. The collision happened during the busy morning school rush, when a large crowd was gathered near the entrance.

Additionally, the report recommends disciplinary actions and administrative penalties for 27 individuals, including staff from the middle school, the county education bureau, and the county transport bureau.