Mine owners 'hid' bodies
2005-07-14 08:13
Beijing - Owners of a coal mine in north China covered up a gas explosion that killed 36 miners and hid 17 of the bodies to try to minimise the severity of the incident, a government agency said on Thursday.
The blast happened on July 2 at the Jiajiapu mine in Shanxi province's Yangfangkou township, the State Administration for Work Safety said on its website.
Teams of rescuers found 19 bodies in the mine, but could not determine the exact number of miners who had died. The mine owner fled after the explosion.
Following an investigation, authorities discovered that 10 miners' bodies had been taken to a crematory in the neighbouring region of Inner Mongolia's Ulanchabu city.
Seven more bodies were found in another town in Inner Mongolia.
The investigation team is continuing its probe.
The blast also injured 11 others, the administration said.
Four miners escaped after the explosion, while 11 were rescued by other miners, state media had reported earlier.
The mine was owned by a small township that was operating it illegally, the reports said.
China's strong demand for coal to fuel industries such as coal-fired power plants, steel and cement has encouraged many profit-driven mines to operate mines illegally and with poor safety procedures.
Enforcement of closure orders and safety regulations is lax as officials often turn a blind eye to violations due to corruption and greed.
Official figures show more than 6 000 miners died in mine accidents in China last year although independent estimates say the real figure could be as high as 20 000.
Earlier this week 83 miners died in a gas blast at a shaft in Fukang city, Xinjiang region.
Labour rights activists and state media reports have shown it is not uncommon for mine owners to cover up deaths to avoid punishment.