27 Gansu officials held accountable for marathon deaths

Twenty-seven officials in Gansu province were held accountable for an ultramarathon tragedy that led to 21 deaths due to extreme weather in May, the provincial discipline inspection and supervision departments said on Friday.

Punishments handed down included dismissals, demotions and disciplinary warnings. Two of the officials are being investigated for suspected duty crimes, according to a statement issued by the Gansu Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and the provincial Supervisory Commission.

Twenty-one competitors, including elite Chinese runners, died during the 100-kilometer mountain race in Baiyin, Gansu, on May 22 when they were caught in freezing temperatures, rain and high winds.