31 arrested for deadly mine blast in SW China
BEIJING - Thirty-one people who were found responsible for a deadly mine blast last year have been transferred to judicial organs, according to an investigation report released Tuesday by the State Council.
The Xiaojiawan Coal Mine in southwestern province of Sichuan was struck by a gas blast on August 29 last year, leaving 48 dead and 54 injured.
Tuesday's report issued by an investigation team of the State Council blamed the accident to illegal mining and lack of supervision.
The coal mine has been exceeding its production capacity regardless of safety standards, and has falsified documents to evade inspections, the report indicated.
From 2011 to the time the accident happened, the coal mine has produced 211,400 tonnes of coal in the illegal areas, in sharp contrast with the 14,300 tonnes in the approved mining regions, the report said.
The investigation team also suggested passing administrative punishment to 33 others, including a deputy mayor of Panzhihua city, where the accident happened.
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