People who deliberately throw objects from high-rises that cause injury or death will now face harsh punishments and may be charged with murder, according to a guideline published Thursday by the Supreme People’s Court.

Individuals who intentionally throw objects from buildings that result in deaths or severe injuries may be sentenced to over 10 years in prison, according to the guideline. Meanwhile, those accidentally causing deaths involving such objects will be subject to 3 to 7 years of imprisonment. People who conceal or destroy evidence in such cases will also be punished.

The new guideline comes after several cases of injuries and deaths resulting from falling objects this year. On Wednesday, a man in eastern Jiangxi province was detained after he accidentally dropped a metallic valve from the 22nd floor, injuring a 3-year-old boy. And in June, a 5-year-old in southern Guangdong province died when a new window being installed at a building landed on the child, prompting concerns over lax maintenance standards in high-rise buildings. (Image: IC)