This photo taken on July 18, 2024 shows firefighting vehicles at the site of a department store fire in Zigong City, southwest China's Sichuan province. [Photo/Xinhua]

In connection with the department store fire in Zigong City, southwest China's Sichuan province, 19 individuals suspected of criminal activities are under investigation, while 32 public officials have been punished, the provincial discipline inspection and supervision commission announced on Wednesday.

The fire occurred on July 17, 2024, in a 14-story building located in a high-tech zone of the city, leaving 16 people dead and 39 others injured. It resulted in direct economic losses of 26.7 million yuan (about 3.7 million U.S. dollars), according to an investigation report released on the same day.

The 19 individuals include legal representatives of the building management and those responsible for fire protection engineering design, construction and maintenance. They have been placed under investigation by the provincial public security department.

A total of 32 public officials from various levels including departments of commerce, housing and urban-rural development, and fire and rescue have received Party and administrative disciplinary penalties, such as criticism and education, warnings, removal from office and demotion.

The accident was caused by unqualified workers using flame cutting to dismantle escalators -- an operation organized by the building management -- and was compounded by poor on-site safety management, ineffective initial fire response, malfunctioning fire control systems, anterior illegal reconstruction and decoration, and inadequate supervision by relevant authorities, according to the report.

Following the accident, provincial authorities launched investigations and implemented corrective measures to strengthen workplace and fire safety.