Several detained after child suffocates on school bus

Several people have been detained in connection with the death of a 3-year-old on a school bus in north China, police said Friday.

Three suspects are detained in connection with the death of a 3-year-old on a school bus in Bazhou city, north China's Hebei province. [Photo: sina.com.cn]

The accident happened Thursday in Tang'erli Township of Bazhou City, Hebei Province. According to police, the girl was left on the shuttle bus after it reached a local kindergarten on Thursday morning. Kindergarten staff did not find her on the bus until 3:30 p.m. She died after medical efforts failed.

The kindergarten was later found to be operating without a license. It has been closed, and police have detained several people, including the person in charge of the kindergarten, the driver and a teacher. Five local officials have been suspended from their posts and are under investigation.

The Hebei provincial department of education has issued an emergency circular, demanding private kindergartens to strengthen management over school buses.