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CHINA-ACCIDENT-MINING
China gold mine blast caused by illegal storage, use of explosives
BEIJING, Feb 23, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – A gold mine explosion that killed 10
people and left one missing in east China was caused by illegal storage and
use of explosives, as well as improper operations, state media reported
Tuesday.
Forty-five people, including 28 public officials, have been held
accountable for the January 10 incident in Shandong province’s Hushan mine,
where a group of miners were trapped underground for about two weeks.
Eleven men from the group of 22 were pulled out alive after a dramatic
rescue operation, during which they relied on food and medicine delivered
through long shafts drilled by rescue teams.
One miner remained unaccounted for while the other 10 died, and the local
Communist Party secretary and mayor were both sacked over a 30-hour delay in
reporting the accident.
On Tuesday, state broadcaster CCTV said a provincial investigation found
the cause of the blast to be illegal storage and use of explosives, as well
as improper work involving fire at the pithead.
Direct economic losses amounted to more than 68 million yuan ($10.5
million), the probe found, while both the company Shandong Wucailong
Investment and Qixia city were deemed involved in “late reporting and
concealment”.
The company’s legal representative is among 15 people investigated for
criminal responsibility, while 28 officials were given administrative
punishment and dealt with internally, CCTV reported.
Companies deemed responsible for the accident were penalised and included
in a blacklist as well.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1930HRS