**(CNN) –** Dozens of Chinese citizens have launched an independent investigation into the sudden deaths of at least 23 villagers in the northeastern province of Shandong, following reports they died shortly after receiving Covid-19 vaccines..
The probe, organized by a group of Chinese netizens, is the latest example of public skepticism toward vaccines and the authorities in the country where the virus was first detected in late 2019..
The group said that according to their investigation, 152 villagers in the Shanghe county of Shandong received vaccines produced by Beijing-based Sinovac between April 12 and 14. Twenty-three of them died within 20 days of receiving the shots, prompting fury and accusations of a cover-up..
The sudden deaths have not been officially linked to the vaccines, but the group’s investigation has cast doubt on the official narrative and sparked fears among the Chinese public..
The Shandong provincial health commission said it had launched its own investigation and ruled out a link between the deaths and the vaccines. A local official told state-run news agency Xinhua that the villagers died from underlying diseases and other causes..
However, the citizens’ group, which calls itself the Shanghe April Event Investigation Team, has disputed the official findings. They said they have interviewed family members of the deceased and collected medical records that contradict the official narrative..
The group’s investigation has gained traction on Chinese social media, despite strict censorship by the authorities. The hashtag related to the investigation has been viewed more than 600 million times on China’s Twitter-like platform Weibo, before it was censored..
The investigation has also drawn attention from international media, including the BBC, the Guardian, and The New York Times..
The Chinese authorities have been accused of downplaying the risks associated with Covid-19 vaccines and of suppressing dissent. In March, a Chinese doctor was detained after he spoke out about the side effects of the vaccines..
The Shanghe April Event Investigation Team said they hope their work will help to uncover the truth about the deaths and prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future..
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