BEIJING, June 18 (Xinhua) -- An investigation and assessment report has been released on a flood disaster at an elderly care center in Beijing's Miyun District in July 2025 that left 32 people dead.
The report, recently reviewed and approved by a State Council executive meeting, determined that the incident at the elderly care center in Taishitun Township was a particularly serious natural disaster caused by prolonged heavy rainfall in the Qingshui River basin, where overflow peaks from the main stream and tributaries converged and triggered a record-breaking flood.
It also found problems and deficiencies in disaster prevention and emergency response by the Party committee and government of Miyun District, as well as relevant departments and organizations.
According to the report, the elderly care center, located in relatively low-lying terrain, was inundated after the flood caused river embankments to overflow and breach.
The investigation found that Miyun District and relevant departments had not done enough to coordinate risk prevention and control for small and medium-sized rivers and local vulnerable sites.
It also identified problems that included inadequate flood monitoring and early warning, insufficient implementation of responsibilities for river embankment patrols and risk inspections, ineffective early response to sudden dangers, and inadequate supervision of elderly care services.
Seventeen public officials from nine Party and government bodies were seriously held accountable in accordance with regulations, discipline and law. Of them, 15 received Party disciplinary or administrative penalties.
The operator of the elderly care center is subject to penalties by the industry authority for illegal and irregular conduct.
The investigation team proposed measures to strengthen political responsibilities for flood control and disaster reduction, improve monitoring, forecasting and early warning for rainstorms and floods, and enhance disaster prevention capabilities in northern China. It also advised that flood-control emergency response measures be refined and flood prevention be strengthened at special facilities, such as elderly care institutions. ■
