Tsinghua University responds that professor’s death was caused by improper tree removal
Tsinghua University has confirmed that Zhang Ailing, a professor from Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU), died after being struck by a falling tree on Tsinghua campus — an incident that has sparked widespread public concern, Xinhua News Agency reported Friday.
According to official information from BLCU, Professor Zhang Ailing was born in 1967 and served as the head of the Department of International Economics and Trade. Her work focused on research and education of international trade and investment.
An investigation revealed that the tragedy resulted from the improper operation of a third-party landscaping maintenance company contracted by Tsinghua. Staff members violated operational protocols while removing a dead tree and failed to take necessary safety precautions. As a result, the tree fell and struck Zhang, who was riding a bicycle at the time, Xinhua reported.
Tsinghua University responded to the incident by immediately contacting emergency services and transporting Zhang to the hospital, where she later died despite rescue efforts. Zhang was the family member of a Tsinghua faculty or staff member.
The university has since formed a special task force to assist with the investigation and to manage post-incident matters. Internal accountability procedures have also been initiated. A university official said the incident serves as a painful lesson and extended sincere apologies and condolences to the victim's family, the report said.
Tsinghua has launched a campus-wide safety inspection and pledged to strengthen supervision over third-party service providers to prevent similar accidents in the future and ensure campus safety, according to Xinhua.
According to official information from BLCU, Professor Zhang Ailing was born in 1967 and served as the head of the Department of International Economics and Trade. Her work focused on research and education of international trade and investment.
An investigation revealed that the tragedy resulted from the improper operation of a third-party landscaping maintenance company contracted by Tsinghua. Staff members violated operational protocols while removing a dead tree and failed to take necessary safety precautions. As a result, the tree fell and struck Zhang, who was riding a bicycle at the time, Xinhua reported.
Tsinghua University responded to the incident by immediately contacting emergency services and transporting Zhang to the hospital, where she later died despite rescue efforts. Zhang was the family member of a Tsinghua faculty or staff member.
The university has since formed a special task force to assist with the investigation and to manage post-incident matters. Internal accountability procedures have also been initiated. A university official said the incident serves as a painful lesson and extended sincere apologies and condolences to the victim's family, the report said.
Tsinghua has launched a campus-wide safety inspection and pledged to strengthen supervision over third-party service providers to prevent similar accidents in the future and ensure campus safety, according to Xinhua.
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