China's work safety situation improved in the first half of 2004, a senior work safety official said here Tuesday, adding that 426,283 fatal accidents of various types have occurred nationwide, plummeting 12.8 percent from the same period of last year.

Wang Dexue, deputy chief of the State Administration of Work Safety, told a press conference held here Tuesday morning that the number of accidents with fatalities exceeding 30 have decreased by 42 percent from the same period of last year to 202 and the combined death toll was 146 less than one year ago.

"Work safety remains a serious concern," Wang acknowledged. "We are cognizant that the totality of accidents and the death toll remain high, with an average of 350 people killed daily."

According to official statistics, mining accidents still stayed on top of the list work place mishaps, with a death toll of 7,311 in the first half of this year. The number was slightly lower than last year's 7,923.

(Xinhua News Agency July 20, 2004)