China govt confirms death of 35 coal miners

Beijing, Oct. 24: China on Friday confirmed that 35 miners were killed in a major coal mine accident three months back in northern Hebei Province and the owners of the pit tried to cover-up the mishap and silence the families of the victims through cash and threat.

The local government in its disclosure in Shijiazhuang, the regional capital, said the accident occurred on July 14 at Lijiawa Coal Mine in Yuxian County, when explosives illegally stored in the pit ignited, killing 34 miners and a rescue worker.

Most of the victims were migrants from Chongqing Municipality and Sichuan Province in the southwest, investigators said. The mine owners hid the bodies and silenced the next of kin with cash compensation and threats.

Some village and county officials also collaborated with the mine owners to cover up the tragedy, Xinhua news agency quoted Hu Chun-hua, acting governor of Hebei Province as saying.

The cover-up infuriated witnesses and the victims’ families, some of whom filed complaints to the state administration. —PTI