Four officials under probe for Liaoning mine accident cover-up

Four local officials and production safety inspectors are under disciplinary investigation for suspected involvement in attempting to conceal a coal mining accident in Liaoning province that led to the deaths of seven people, local anti-graft authorities said on Monday night.

A provincial team investigating the attempted cover-up discovered suspected violations committed by Li Xueqing, chief of an inspection team at the National Mine Safety Administration's Liaoning branch; Li Bo, chief of an inspection team at the Liaoning Provincial Mine Safety Administration; Ning Deshuang, director of the Coal Industry Transition Development Bureau in Fuxin, where the accident occurred; and Di Xiaodong, director of the emergency and market inspection office in Fuxin's Haizhou district, the CPC Liaoning Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Liaoning Provincial Commission of Supervision revealed on its WeChat account, without going into further detail.

Disciplinary inspectors said that the team will examine the incident and uncover the problems it reflects.

Fuxin authorities announced on July 5 that a number of people associated with the city's Honglin Coal Mine had attempted to conceal the events that led to seven deaths and to a further seven injuries, after it occurred on June 27.

The city's public security authorities have filed a case and have taken compulsory measures against those responsible, it said, adding that investigation and inquiry procedures are underway.