Twenty-two officials in Shanxi Province have been taken into custody as of yesterday on charges of negligence for a mine accident that killed 272 people, China News Service said on its website today.

Of the 22 suspects, one is a bureau director, six are division directors and 15 are section directors or above, the report said.

An unlicensed iron ore waste pool burst, discharging a huge torrent of tailings, mud and rock that devastated a downstream village, an office building and a busy outdoor market on September 8 in Xiangfen County.

An initial investigation found the collapse was due to negligence.

The mayor and vice mayor of Linfen City, the Party chief of Xiangfen and some other officials were sacked last month due to the accident, according to earlier report.

(Shanghai Daily October 21, 2008)