Compensation totaling 24.8 million yuan (US$3.1 million) has
been given to all the families of the victims of a coal mine blast
in northern China over two months ago, which killed 108 miners and
injured 29 others.
The money was paid by the management of the Liuguantun colliery
in Hebei Province, in line with the rules and regulations on mine
accidents, reported the rescue operation headquarters on
Tuesday.
The victims include the 91 miners found dead during the initial
rescue operation and 17 missing people who had no chance to
survive.
The gas explosion happened at the Liuguantun Coal Mine in
Kaiping District of Tangshan City at 3:30 PM on Dec. 7, when
more than 100 miners were working there. The exact number is
known.
Among the injured, 23 have recovered and six are still
hospitalized.
The gas blast was an exceedingly grave accident caused by
illegal operation, Li Yizhong, director of the State Administration
of Work Safety, said.
The official has promised to take "resolute measures" to deal
with the grim situation of coal mine safety, including enhancing
supervision and standardizing coal mine resources.
(Xinhua News Agency February 15, 2006)