6 dismissed after N China colliery blast

TAIYUAN - Six people have been dismissed after a gas explosion killed seven workers at a coal mine in North China's Shanxi province, sources with the mine said Tuesday.

The board chairman and general manager of Sijiazhuang Coal Mine Company, the chief of the mine's Communist Party of China committee, the chief engineer as well as its work safety director and ventilation director have all been dismissed, according to the sources.

The chief engineer of Jindong Coal Mine Management Company, which administers the coal mine, was also removed from his post, sources said.

A total of 17 people were working in the mine in Xiyang county when the blast occurred around 3 pm Monday. Seven died at the scene, and 10 others escaped unharmed.

The Shanxi provincial government has set up an investigation team to look into the incident.