Some 222 people were dealt with according to Chinese law as they
were allegedly responsible for six catastrophic coal mine accidents
that had occurred throughout the country since November last
year.
According to a press release Friday on the investigation and
handling of the six coal mine accidents, among the 222 people, 96
have been handed over to the judicial departments, 126 got
disciplinary punishment, and 40 had been stripped of their
administrative posts.
At a press conference jointly held Friday by the State
Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) and the Ministry of
Supervision, SAWS Director Li Yizhong said 528 people were killed
in the six coal mine accidents.
He attributed the occurrence of the accidents to resistance to
law enforcement and illegal production; production beyond the
capacity, intensity and headcount allowed; chaotic management and
impotent regulations; ineffective supervision by relevant
departments and corruptive forces as protective umbrellas behind
the accidents.
Li said the investigation results of the six catastrophic
accidents indicated that some coal mines have not implemented the
work safety policies, laws and regulations in a serious,
responsible manner.
He accused some local authorities of not being effective enough
to rectify or close those coal mines that do not meet the work
safety standards and the illegally operated coal mines, and safety
watchdogs and industry-specific regulators of failing to fulfill
their responsibilities.
The liable persons involved in the six accidents have been
punished in accordance with relevant laws and regulations and the
Not-Let-Go Principle, Li said.
The official also said: "Where crimes are constituted, the
offenders have been handed over to the judicial departments for
justice."
(Xinhua News Agency December 24, 2005)