Jiangsu Province will close all its small coal mines in the wake of a coal mine explosion that killed 58 miners in Xuzhou on Sunday. Thirty-four miners are still missing and feared dead.
Jiangsu Governor Ji Yunshi announced in Xuzhou yesterday that all 30 small coal mines in Xuzhou that have not met safety standards will be closed. Seven were already shut down on Tuesday, Xinhua news agency reported.
Ji urged that a strengthened inspection be carried out in factories to ensure safe production, and officials who approve illegal industrial operations by taking bribes be punished.
The accident on Sunday trapped 105 miners underground. By early yesterday morning, the bodies of 52 victims had been found at the mine.
(eastday.com 07/26/2001)
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