Report on fatal coal mine accident released

BEIJING - Nineteen people who were responsible for a deadly coal mine accident that occurred in southwest China's Yunnan province last November have been transferred to judicial organs, according to a report released Tuesday by the State Council's investigation team.

The accident occurred at the Sizhuang Coal Mine in Shizong county of the city of Qujing on the morning of November 10, 2011, when a powerful gas explosion hit two underground platforms.

The fatal accident killed 43 people and caused 39.7 million yuan ($6.3 million) in direct economic losses.

The report suggested that 13 others who were also responsible for the accident be given disciplinary sanctions.

The Sizhuang Coal Mine must pay 5 million yuan in fines and be shut down, while mine head Zhang Sixing must pay a fine equal to 80 percent of his income for the previous year, according to the report.

The investigation team blamed the accident on illegal operation, lax safety supervision, dereliction of duty and inadequate accident prevention measures.

China has stepped up its efforts to close small illegal mines in recent years to curb accidents. The mortality rate per 1 million tonnes of coal fell to 0.564 deaths in 2011 from the high of 4.94 in 2002.