SHENZHEN: A sub-standard housing project in the city has prompted the local government to launch a probe into whether some officials were guilty of a dereliction of duty.

The government has set up two accountability teams to look at the appalling conditions at the low-income project. One team will look at problems that arose during the design and construction of the third phase of the Taoyuan Estate. The other team, comprised of members of the discipline inspection department, will ask whether government officials and organizations had broken any rules, Southern Metropolis Daily reported on Sunday.

"It will be the most serious accountability. Officials could face punishment," said Deputy Mayor Lu Ruifeng after meeting resident delegates last week.