An investigation into an accident on the Beijing subway has blamed OTIS -- the world's largest escalator manufacturer. One person died, and thirty others were injured, when an escalator at Beijing Zoo Station suddenly went into reverse in July this year. Beijing's quality watchdog released the results of the investigation on Friday.

The watchdog's investigation says design flaws by elevator manufacturer OTIS were behind the deadly accident.The branches of OTIS in Beijing and Guangzhou face fines of 200 thousand yuan each - while the parent company in Tianjin, is being fined 100 thousand Yuan for not issuing proper technological standards.A nationwide safety check is now underway.

Zhang Maofan, Shanghai Tech Supervision Bureau, said "We require staff members of escalator companies to be on duty 24 hours a day in stations, and there'll be a daily check on escalators."

The maintenance groups in Beijing are to have their work permits revoked. Some officials may also face criminal charges.All Otis escalators at Beijing subway stations were shut down after the accident. The company has promised the escalators will resume at the beginning of next year.

By the end of July, quality watchdogs across the country had inspected over two hundred thousand escalators. Over ten thousand potential safety hazards were identified.Stricter regulations on the selection and maintenance of subway escalators are now on the drawing board.

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