19 sentenced for deadly hospital fire

Nineteen people were sentenced to prison on Monday for safety violations that led to a fire at a Beijing hospital that killed 29 people and injured 42 in 2023.

Wang Wenjie, head of the Beijing Changfeng Hospital, and 18 others were convicted of causing a major liability accident and sentenced to prison terms ranging from six years and six months to two years, according to a judgment issued by a court in Beijing's Fengtai district.

The court found that the violations stemmed from a renovation site at the hospital where a construction company carried out operations in breach of regulations on April 18, 2023.

Flammable and explosive components in construction materials formed an explosive gas mixture, which ignited after coming into contact with sparks and triggered a deflagration, the court said.

With the fire fully ignited, some fire compartments failed to function and fixed firefighting facilities were ineffective, allowing the blaze to spread and large plumes of smoke to engulf the building.

The court added that the failure to effectively evacuate and transfer patients on higher floors also contributed to the disaster.

The fire resulted in direct economic losses totaling 38.32 million yuan ($5.5 million), according to an investigation report approved at a State Council executive meeting in October 2023.

The Fengtai court said the 19 defendants violated relevant safety management regulations during production and operations, resulting in a major accident with heavy casualties under especially serious circumstances, and that they should be punished in accordance with the law.

In handing down the sentences, the court said it considered factors including the facts, circumstances and consequences of the crimes, as well as whether the defendants turned themselves in, pleaded guilty, showed remorse and compensated for losses. Some deputies to China's legislature, members of the country's political advisory body, and relatives of some victims and defendants attended the sentencing hearing, the court said.