Coal mine death toll rises to 164
(China Daily)
Updated: 2005-12-02 05:47

HARBIN: The death toll in the coal mine blast in Qitaihe, Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, rose to 164 yesterday, while seven were still missing, sources said.

Meanwhile, the number of miners working underground when the blast occurred was put at 242, one more than the figure released on Wednesday.

This was because one more person was counted as rescued, making the total number of survivors 73.

The blast occurred last Sunday at Dongfeng Coal Mine under the Qitaihe branch of the Longmei Mining (Group) Co Ltd.

It was the second time the number of miners working underground was changed. The number released by the local authority on Wednesday was 241, after a "thorough check" involving the police.

An investigation team, approved by the State Council and headed by Li Yizhong, minister of the State Administration of Work Safety, was formed yesterday.

Li said that dense coal dust caused the explosion. The investigation team will search for more proof before a final conclusion is made.

Li said that the blast was an "extremely serious accident" involving the dereliction of duty by officials. The contradicting figures for workers working underground show a "huge lapse" in the management of the coal mine, he said.

Two major officials of Dongfeng coal mine, Ma Jinguang and Cheng Zhiqiang, head and Party secretary, respectively, were detained by police on Wednesday.

Qu Jixian, chairman of Qitaihe branch of the Longmei Mining Group, was also suspended from his position yesterday.

The investigation team ordered the Dongfeng mine to close for a thorough safety check. If it fails to reach the required standard, it will be closed permanently, said Zhao Tiechui, director of the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety.

(China Daily 12/02/2005 page2)