China plans to suspend its plan for new high-speed rail and to conduct security checks to meet the strong concern about the deadly crash of July 23, announced Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.
Wen Jiabao said at a meeting of the State Council that checks would be conducted on the quality of materials, design and training of new high-speed rail, reported national radio. China should “appropriately reduce the average speed of its new high-speed trains during the initial period of operation,” said the Prime Minister.
The collision of two express trains killed at least 40 people and raised many questions about the reliability of high-speed trains.
According to the version delivered by the media, lightning caused a power outage and blocked Warning System. The accident occurred near Wenzhou in eastern China.