China reports cover-ups in coal mine accidents

BEIJING - China's work safety authority reported on Tuesday cover-ups in two coal mining accidents that killed 11 people last month.

On July 5, a roof collapse at Xingcheng Coal Mine in Heilongjiang province left eight miners dead. The mine owner intentionally concealed the accident until the public informed regulators, according to the State Council Work Safety Commission.

The commission has asked local authorities to revoke the work safety license of the mine and shut down the pit.

In another accident, a gas explosion at Mingshan Coal Mine in Jiangxi province killed three people, but the company misreported the accident as carbon monoxide poisoning with only two deaths, the commission said.

It asked local authorities to seriously investigate the accidents and punish those found responsible for the concealing.

China's mines are among the deadliest in the world, with fatal accidents occurring frequently due to poor safety regulations and a lack of safety awareness.