A total of 15 individuals were sentenced to prison in Hunan Province, China, on Thursday for their involvement in a tragic building collapse that resulted in the deaths of 54 people in 2022. The sentences, handed down by local courts, ranged from two years and nine months to 12 years.
The incident occurred on April 29, 2022, in the Wangcheng District of Changsha, the provincial capital, and left nine others injured. Following the disaster, the State Council established an investigation team to examine the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
Wu Zhiyong, the owner of the illegally constructed and extended building, received an 11-year prison sentence for his negligence, which directly contributed to the incident. Wu had employed unqualified construction workers to build and expand the structure, which he leased as an accommodation and catering venue. Despite clear signs indicating the building was at risk of collapsing, he failed to organize emergency evacuations, leading to significant casualties. He was also convicted of conspiring to destroy property belonging to others.
Zhou Zhengmao, the former deputy head of Wangcheng District, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for dereliction of duty and accepting bribes.
The court also convicted various inspectors from urban management and market regulation departments, as well as shareholders and personnel from Hunan Xiangda Engineering Testing Co., Ltd., which issued fake documents for the building project. The company was fined one million yuan (approximately $140,400) for its involvement.
The sentencing was attended by lawmakers, political advisors, and relatives of both the victims and the defendants, marking a significant moment in the accountability process following this devastating event.
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