Special equipment accidents kill 292 in 2012

Accidents involving special equipment, such as elevators and boilers, claimed 292 lives and injured 354 people in China last year, a government official said Monday.

The death toll was down 2.67 percent from 2011, Fu Wenbiao, deputy director of the General Office of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), said at a news briefing.

The country reported 228 cases of special equipment accidents last year, down 17.09 percent from 2011, Fu said.

He attributed the causes to a lack of safety awareness, unspecified safety management responsibilities and illegal operation.

Fu added that AQSIQ has asked local authorities to strengthen checks over special equipment, including elevators, cable cars and entertainment facilities, to ensure public safety.