Beijing, May 06: The Chinese government and the ruling Communist Party have assured the nation that a comprehensive probe has been ordered into the recent deadly submarine accident and adoption of measures to prevent similar accidents in future, the state media reported today. While consoling family members of the victims, the chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), Jiang Zemin and Chinese President Hu Jintao said that since the accident, the central committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the CMC have "closely supervised the investigation of the cause of the disaster."

"They urged the adoption of practical and scientific measures to prevent future accidents of this type," Xinhua news agency reported. All 70 sailors aboard a conventional submarine, no. 361, were killed in the accident near the Neichangshan islands off eastern Shandong province while participating in a training exercise.

The initial report said the accident occurred due to a 'mechanical' error.

The date of the submarine accident, considered the worst-ever in China's naval history, has not been revealed. Jiang and Hu, wearing military uniforms were seen consoling some of the families and taking group photographs on the state-run television.

"Jiang expressed deep sorrow and offered condolences, on behalf of the CMC, to the relatives during the meeting," one report said.

Bureau Report