BEIJING - The State Council, or China's Cabinet, has made a decision to issue disciplinary punishments to 64 people responsible for four accidents involving the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).

A total of 64 people responsible for the accidents, including several of the CNPC's top executives, will be given disciplinary punishments by the Communist Party of China or the government, according to the decision of the State Council revealed Thursday, made after receiving investigation reports on the four accidents.

A total of 14 suspects have been handed over to judicial authorities for their roles in the four accidents, the State Council said.

The most severe accident happened in July 2010, when an explosion hit two oil pipelines owned by the CNPC in the port area of Dalian. The explosion was followed by a fire and triggered a major oil spill.

The accident caused the death of a firefighter during the clean-up efforts, as well as a direct property loss of 223.3 million yuan (over $35 million).

The other three accidents took place in Dalian in October 2010, and July and August this year, respectively.