Xinhua reported that the chief of China work safety watchdog recently decried the poor safety standards at a coal mine where rescuers had pulled out 30 bodies and are still searching for 13 others following a gas outburst three days ago.
Mr Luo Lin Director of the State Administration of Work Safety who led the investigation of the Sizhuang Coal Mine located in the county of Shizong in South Western Yunnan province described the mine safety measures as "very poor."
He said that "There was no monitoring system in the mine, the accident prevention measures were inadequate and managers defied the order that they should go down in the mine with workers."
Recently a powerful gas outburst hit one underground platform of the mine and later spread to another platform, trapping a total of 43 miners. By 7:25 PM Saturday, 30 bodies have been found while 13 others remain missing.
Tunnels were blocked, equipment damaged, toxic gases leaked after the ejaculation of gases, coal and rocks, hampering rescue efforts. Rescuers said by Saturday about 240 tonnes of coal dust had been cleared out and a 250 meter long section of the mine tunnel had been cleared.
Local officials said the mine's bosses had been detained as the probe is underway.
According to a statement from the provincial coal safety supervision bureau the mine was found to be operating illegally, having had its license revoked a year ago. The bureau ordered the mine to stop production in April.
While ordering an all out effort to search for the missing, Mr Luo blamed the local work safety watchdog for lax supervision over mines whose licenses had been revoked.
Mr Luo vowed to launch a thorough investigation of the accident and give severe punishment to those responsible in order to give the victims families and the public an answer.
Local official said each of the families of 17 victims has received CNY 10,000 for funeral expenses. Each dead miner's family will get a compensation package of CNY 660,000.
Mr Luo ordered mining supervision to be reinforced across the country.
Gas explosions, floods and fires are frequent occurrences in China coal mines, killing hundreds, if not thousands each year.
(Sourced from Xinhua)
