Spontaneous blast of explosives causes mine accident

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-17 15:52

XIAOYI, Shanxi -- Spontaneous ignition of explosives caused a coal mine blast on Friday that killed 28 people and trapped six, said Zhang Jianmin, vice governor of north China's Shanxi Province, on Tuesday.

He said that illegal home-made explosives, which were concealed in the colliery tunnel, ignited on their own and triggered the blast, producing toxic gas and collapsing some parts of the shaft as 58 miners were at work.

Zhang presented this information to an accident investigation team set up by the State Council. He also admitted that the accident reflected chaotic management of the coal mine.

He said that the provincial government will provide a responsible reply to the victims' families.

He didn't elaborate, but this would most likely involve an explanation of the accident, the penalties for anyone whose actions contributed to it and what compensation survivors might receive.

The State Council set up a team on Tuesday to investigate the accident at the Anxin Coal Mining company and Zhao Tiechui, director of the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety, was appointed its head.

The explosion occurred at about 11 am Friday, when 58 miners were working underground -- double the legal number.

Fifteen managed to escape and another nine were saved by rescuers.

The mine was approved to produce 90,000 tons of coal a year. It was permitted to resume production on May 18 after a regular safety check.