Railway fire safety inspected for travel rush

BEIJING -- Chinese railway police have begun a nationwide inspection of fire hazards to ensure railroad safety during the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush starting January 16.

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Railway police will check every passenger train and carriage in operation and supervise railway staff in overhauling equipment found to pose fire hazards, according to a Friday statement from the railway police authorities under the Ministry of Public Security.

Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year, will fall on January 31. It is the most important Chinese holiday for family reunions, making it a hectic time for the country's public transportation system.

Nearly 3.28 billion trips are expected to be made by road during peak traffic between January 16 and February 24, according to the ministry's traffic management bureau.