DHAKA: China national prosecutor’s office said on Thursday that they were accused of dereliction of duty and abusing their positions resulting in the blast that killed at least 121 people.

Chinese prosecutors have detained 11 people over a massive warehouse explosion that killed at least 121 people.

The national prosecutor’s office said in a notice on Thursday that those held include current and retired officials in the port city of Tianjin, along with others working for the company that runs the port, the largest in northern China.

It says they are accused of dereliction of duty and abusing their positions, reports The Hindu.

The investigation has so far focused on how the warehouse’s owner, Ruihai Logistics, was able to gain permission to handle dangerous chemicals despite being located inside a legally-mandated 1,000-meter buffer zone from homes and roads.

Police have already detained 12 Ruihai employees as part of their investigation and are also looking into a company suspected of providing bogus safety assessments.

BDST: 1317 HRS, AUG 27, 2015
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