Watchdog snaps into action over cover-ups of coal mine accidents

BEIJING - The country's work safety authorities have vowed to crack down on coal mine accident cover-ups, which are now rampant in the industry.

The Work Safety Committee under the State Council, revealed in a statement on Friday the attempts to cover-up six major coal mine accidents that killed a total of 42 miners since April.

Five of the accidents were investigated after local work safety departments received tip-offs, while the other was reported to the safety watchdog after a day's delay.