China toughens fire safety regulations

The Chinese government has ordered the immediate closure of dance halls and recreation centres which have inadequate safety equipment.

The move follows a fire on Monday at a packed disco in the central city of Luoyang which killed more than three-hundred people.

The official Chinese news agency said the State Council, the country's cabinet, had also called for immediate checks of hotels, shops, hospitals and schools for potential fire hazards.

It said senior officials would be held responsible for any safety breaches in their regions or departments.

Correspondents say lax fire safety standards lead to thousands of deaths each year.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service