Oficials sacked over deadly mosque stampede

YINCHUAN - Four government officials in northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region have been dismissed for their roles in a stampede at a mosque that left 14 dead and 10 others injured, local authorities said Thursday.

The deadly incident happened Sunday afternoon in the Beida Mosque in Jiqiang township, Xiji County, when traditional food was being distributed to believers who gathered to commemorate a late religious figure.

Ren Lixin, head of the Xiji County government, has been suspended from his post pending further investigation, said the regional committee of the Communist Party of China.

Three others officials, including director of the county's bureau of religious affairs, a deputy director of its public security bureau, head of Jiqiang township, have been removed from their posts.

The committee said the stampede was caused by poor organization and management.

Meanwhile, Ma Weishan, director of the administration committee of Beida Mosque which sponsored the event, has been detained, according to the county government.

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