The number of coal mine accidents in China in the first half of
2007 totaled 1,066, down 242 from the same period last year, based
on figures released by the country's safety watchdog on Monday.
The death toll was 1,792, 14.3 percent lower than the same
period last year, according to officials with the State
Administration of Coal Mine Safety (SACMS) and the State
Administration of Work Safety (SAWS).
The death ratio in producing one million tons of coal was 1.633,
down 19.9 percent compared with the same period last year, said
SACMS Director Zhao Tiechui.
"Though we have made some progress, we should still be aware of
the severe situation regarding coal mine work safety," Zhao said at
the conference.
He said illegal coal mines were still the main cause of coal
mine accidents, and there was a rise in accidents involving gas
explosions.
Zhao ordered all branches of the SACMS to continue strengthening
work safety supervision, close illegal and small coal mines without
safe working conditions and harshly punish those responsible for
accidents.
(Xinhua News Agency July 3, 2007)