More officials dismissed over N. China fatal mine accident

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-09-21 09:25

XIANGFEN, Shanxi -- Another three officials were sacked on Saturday for a fatal mine accident that has killed 262 people in north China's Shanxi Province.

Kang Haiyin, the Communist Party of China (CPC) chief of Xiangfen County, where the tragedy occurred, were dismissed from his post, according to a meeting held by the CPC Shanxi committee in Linfen.

CPC deputy chief Li Xuejun of Xiangfen, was dismissed. The meeting also proposed to dismiss Li from his post as Xiangfen's magistrate.

Han Baoquan was proposed to be dismissed from his post as the deputy magistrate of Xiangfen.

The CPC Shanxi committee also decided to suspend the work of Linfen's Communist Party chief Xia Zhengui, and dismissed Liu Zhijie from his post as the CPC deputy chief of Linfen.

Liu Zhijie, and Zhou Jie, were proposed to be dismissed from their posts as Linfen's mayor and vice mayor respectively.

The reshuffle of government posts needed approval from the local legislative body.

An unlicensed iron ore dregs retaining pond in Xiangfen burst on September 8, discharging a huge torrent of tailings, mud and rock that devastated a downstream village, an office building and a busy outdoor market.

The death toll from the accident has risen to 262 with several still listed as missing.

An initial investigation found the collapse was due to negligence. The tailings dumping pond was built in violation of regulations and had few safety inspections.