China sets up special task force

CHINA: China has set up a special task force bringing together officials from six different government agencies to investigate a plane crash last week that killed 42 people, state media reported Monday.

The team, which includes personnel from the work safety and civil aviation administrations, will probe the cause of the crash in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang, the China Daily said.

It will establish responsibility for the accident and advise the government on how to revamp the industry to avert future disasters, the report quoted Liang Jiakun, deputy head of the country's work safety board, as saying.

"The probe involves every aspect of the jet - its manufacturer, operator, pilot, crew, maintenance record, and the air traffic management and airport authorities," said Li Jian, deputy head of the civil aviation administration.

A Brazilian-made Henan Airlines jet crashed in heavy fog while attempting to land at an airport in Yichun city near the Russian border. Fifty-four passengers and crew survived the disaster August 24.

Beijing, Monday, AFP