Coal mine accidents, deaths continue to decline

BEIJING - China had 38.6 percent fewer deaths resulting from coal mine accidents in the first eight months of 2015 than it did in the same period last year, official figures showed on Thursday.

The number of coal mine accidents also dropped 33.5 percent in the same time frame, with no accidents with more than 30 deaths for 29 months in a row, according to the State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS).

Although work safety is improving, coal mines are still dangerous and need to be more strictly supervised, said SAWS spokesperson Huang Yi at a press conference.

Combined workplace accidents and deaths shrank 12.5 percent and 14 percent respectively in the Jan.-Aug. period, while accidents with more than 30 deaths decreased 10.7 percent, according to the SAWS.

Of the 32 provincial-level regions checked, 27 saw declines in both accidents and deaths, and 15 had no accidents with more than 30 dead in the first eight months, the SAWS data showed.

Huang vowed that the administration would promote safety precautions and inspect workplaces to make sure there are no violations.

China's cabinet, the State Council, has demanded that the number of coal mines nationwide be cut to less than 10,000 by the end of 2015.

The country has been cutting coal production, a move mainly aimed at curbing slumping coal prices, but one which has also had the effect of reducing the labor force and making accidents less likely.