DNA helps identify poultry plant fire victims

CHANGCHUN - DNA samples have by Friday been collected from the bodies of all 120 people who perished in the fire at a poultry plant in Northeast China's Jilin province at the start of this week.

The bodies are unidentifiable by sight. Forensic examiners are taking DNA samples from the victims' relatives to conduct DNA matching. So far, they have completed the matching to identify 104 of the victims.

The blaze in the Jilin Baoyuanfeng Poultry Company on Monday killed 120 people and injured 77 others.

Yang Dongliang, director of the State Administration of Work Safety, said the company has had its assets frozen and business license permanently revoked, as the administration's investigation proved negligence by company management caused the safety loopholes leading to the fire.

The company's board chairman, Jia Yushan, as well as its general manager, Zhang Yushen, have been detained by police.