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Operator admits human error

Shanghai Metro, under renewed fire after admitting human error was the cause of Tuesday's train collision, yesterday posted a fresh apology for the accident, thanking the company's critics for their 'scolding'.

'To scold is to love, and the deeper the love the greater the responsibility,' the statement, on the company's official microblog last night said. That was two days after the crash that injured almost 300 people and provoked a furious reaction.

'Thanks to everyone for your scolding, this is the energy that will help to drive Shanghai Metro forward. [We will] calm down, steadfastly and earnestly make improvements, and resolutely move forward.

'From apology through to thanks and on to gratitude, only by walking out of the darkness can we truly move forward and assume [our duty].'

An apology posted on the microblog on the day of the accident - before being removed and then reinstated - had described Tuesday as the 'darkest day' in the underground's 16-year history.

The accident happened when a train on Line 10 rammed into the rear of a stationary train.

The trains were carrying more than 500 passengers at the time. Shanghai's Municipal Health Bureau said 284 people were injured, 95 of whom remained in the city's hospitals on Wednesday morning. The bureau was unable to provide an update on the situation yesterday.

The municipal government is investigating but has yet to release any information on the cause of the collision. However, a statement issued by the metro operator on Wednesday night said initial findings of an investigation by its parent company, Shanghai Shentong Metro, pointed to human error as the main cause.

Staff in the control room failed to follow correct procedure while conducting trains manually after a power cut disabled the signalling system on the line.

The admission appears to vindicate Casco Signal, the Sino-French joint venture that produced the signalling system and rolling stock, and which had been a target for anger over the accident. The company declined to comment yesterday.

'We are not accepting any media interviews at this time,' a Casco representative said.

Alstom, Casco's French part-owner, issued a statement yesterday agreeing with Shanghai Shentong Metro's findings.

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