27 Dead as COVID-19 Quarantine Bus Overturns in China... Late-Night Apology from Deputy Mayor

In connection with the bus overturn accident in Guizhou Province, southwestern China, in which 27 people heading to a COVID-19 quarantine facility died, Lin Gang, Vice Mayor of Guiyang City, bowed his head and apologized after briefing the main points late at night. (Photo by CCTV)

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Kim Hyunjung] In southwest China's Guizhou, a bus carrying residents being transferred to a COVID-19 quarantine facility overturned, resulting in 27 deaths. As public criticism spread, the local vice mayor bowed and apologized late at night.

According to China's Central (CC) TV on the 18th, at around 2:40 a.m. local time, a bus carrying 47 people including the driver overturned on a highway in Guizhou Province. The bus, owned by Guizhou Qianyun Group, was confirmed to be used for transporting COVID-19 related personnel in Guiyang City, the provincial capital. The bus was en route from Yunyan District in Guiyang City to a quarantine hotel in Qiannan Prefecture, Guizhou Province, for centralized medical observation of the passengers early that morning.

The bus ran off the road into a ditch and overturned, resulting in 27 deaths and 20 injuries. The injured were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. According to the National Health Commission of China, the number of COVID-19 cases (including asymptomatic) in Guizhou the previous day was 712. China enforces a strict "zero COVID" policy, requiring quarantine not only for confirmed cases but also for close contacts and residents in nearby areas who may have had secondary contact.

After the accident, Lin Gang, vice mayor of Guiyang City, held a briefing late at night and bowed in apology. This came amid rising public criticism over the large-scale fatal accident occurring during the government's strictly controlled COVID-19 prevention efforts. Vice Mayor Lin said, "A major traffic accident has caused enormous loss to the lives and safety of the people. We deeply regret this and express our condolences."

He added, "We will comprehensively review the quarantine and transportation of epidemic-related personnel and safety risks and carry out special rectifications. We will do our best in integrating medical resources, forming expert groups, treating the injured, and conducting a thorough investigation of the cause of the accident in cooperation with higher authorities."