Nearly 200 people punished in China for 'spreading online rumours' including inflating Tianjin disaster death toll

The authorities in China have punished 197 internet users for “spreading rumours” online, including inflating the number of people killed in the Tianjin explosions disaster and falsely alleging that a man committed suicide over the turmoil in the country’s stock markets, state media reported.

The state-run news agency Xinhua, citing the Public Security Ministry, said 165 online accounts had been closed.

It did not say over what period the punishments were handed out.

One rumour was that a man jumped to his death in Beijing due to the stock market slump.

Another said that at least 1,300 people were killed in the Tianjin blasts. The number confirmed dead by the authorities after the August 12 explosions at a dangerous goods warehouse in the port city is 150.

China criminalised the spreading of online rumours two years ago with controversial regulations that stipulated up to three years in jail for publishing false or defamatory information that is seen by more than 5,000 people or forwarded over 500 times.

Since that time the government has increasingly tightened controls on online expression, with crackdowns often coming around sensitive events, such as this week’s second world war anniversary parade in Beijing.