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The three accidents were all caused by illegal operation, which led to 159 deaths and 87.5 million yuan (US$ 12.81 million) of direct economic loss, according to Huang.
Another 71 people not directly responsible for the accidents have been given disciplinary punishment by the Communist Party or the government, including Pingdingshan's Mayor, Vice Mayor and the city's Party chief, said Huang.
All the coal mines involved in the accidents were closed down, and all the related production licenses suspended, he said.