Bridge tragedy trial opens

A former local party boss went on trial yesterday charged with corruption that led to a bridge collapse in which 40 people died.

Zhang Kaike, former Communist Party secretary of Qijiang County, appeared before Chongqing Intermediate People's Court in Sichuan province, Xinhua said.

He was accused of accepting 350,000 yuan (HK$325,000) to approve contracts to builders.

Prosecutors said Zhang was responsible for the collapse of the Rainbow Bridge in January because he approved construction even though the contractors lacked the necessary feasibility study report.