Shanghai Crash Ignites Public Anger Amid Fractured Government Response

Officials are investigating the cause of a crash in which more than 20 people were seriously injured Tuesday riding the Shanghai subway. Citizens have voiced their frustration at ambitious rail projects they view as neglecting safety.

1 minute read

September 28, 2011, 10:00 AM PDT

By George Haugh

The crash occurred after the failure of a signalling system forced staff to resort to coordinating trains by telephone. In the wake of a large fire and recent high speed rail crash, the public was quick to blame decision makers for putting rapid infrastructure expansion ahead of public safety.

More interestingly, yesterday's crash appears to have fractured Chinese government. The Global Times newspaper, owned by Communist Party mouthpiece People's Daily, called the managers of China's cities "backward" and said that increasing speed should not come at a cost to public safety.

FULL STORY: Chinese Authorities Under Fire After Shanghai Subway Crash

Wednesday, September 28, 2011 in Reuters

Transportation China Shanghai Metro Mass Transit Train Crash View More

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