China sacks four over new year eve’s stampede deaths

FOUR district officials have been sacked over a stampede on New Year’s Eve in the Chinese city of Shanghai that left 36 people dead.

Seven more officials have been disciplined over the tragedy in the Bund district.

The crush happened in Chenyi Square on the waterfront, where huge crowds had gathered for the countdown.

The victims were trampled and asphyxiated. Forty-nine other people were injured in the accident.

The investigation team said local officials had failed to prevent public risk.

Shanghai Vice Mayor Zhou Bo, who was part of the investigation team, said the city had sent its “deepest apologies” to families of the victims, calling the incident “totally avoidable”.

“We feel very pained, guilty and responsible for this.”