He made the remarks at a meeting of the State Council after a China Northern Airlines passenger plane, which carried 112 passengers and crew, plunged into Dalian Bay in northeast China on Tuesday night.

The premier stressed that all rescue efforts should be made and the cause of the accident should be found as soon as possible. Other problems arising from the accident should also be appropriately dealt with.

Zhu noted that there are many accidents in traffic, mines and other production sectors.

He urged the civil aviation, railway, communication, mines and other enterprises to learn lessons from the accidents. A nationwide safety examination should be conducted immediately to prevent major accidents.

Most serious accidents were caused by the lack of proper management. Therefore, routine examination work should be strengthened, and activities breaking safety rules and regulations should be punished, Zhu said.

He added that officials in charge of certain departments or enterprises should shoulder their responsibilities for safety, otherwise they might be given administrative or even criminal penalties for accidents.

(People's Daily May 9, 2002)