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28 confirmed dead in North China mine blast

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-17 15:18

XIAOYI, Shanxi -- Twenty-eight people were confirmed dead and six trapped on Tuesday after a coal mine blast in North China's Shanxi Province last Friday.

The State Council set up a team on Tuesday to investigate the accident at the Anxin Coal Mining company and Zhao Tiechui, director of the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety, was appointed its head.

The team will examine whether the mine in Luliang, Xiaoyi city, met safety standards, although it had production permission certificates.

Zhao said an initial analysis showed Anxin had many problems, ranging from the use of explosives unsuitable for mining to excessive production.

The company had also illegally mined unapproved areas and had poor ventilation facilities, he said.

Dong Hongyun, mayor of Luliang, said all mines with safety risks in Luliang would suspend operations pending inspections.

Dong admitted the Anxin mine had safety problems and was unqualified for production.

The explosion occurred at about 11 a.m. Friday, when 58 miners were working underground.

Fifteen managed to escape and another nine were saved by rescuers.

According to the rules, only 29 people were allowed to be working in the shaft at any given time.

The mine was approved to produce 90,000 tonnes of coal a year. It was permitted to resume production on May 18 after a regular safety check.