(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-31 21:04

TAIYUAN - Nineteen people have been implicated in a coal mine gas blast that killed 105 miners and injured 18 in north China's Shanxi Province earlier this month. Among them were the mine owners and managers.

Procuratorates of Linfen City accused the 19 of illegal mining, illegal trade of dynamite, dereliction of duty and covering up an accident.

The explosion occurred on December 5 at Xinyao Coal Mine in Shanxi Province, when 128 miners were working in the shaft. The number far exceeded the maximum 60 miners for one shift as approved by the Shanxi coal mine authority.

The Ruizhiyuan Coal Industrial Co. Ltd., owner of Xinyao Coal Mine, was also accused of illegal mining, illegal trade of dynamite and tax evasion.

According to sources with the prosecutors, the company purchased 30,750 kilograms dynamite and 23,000 detonators for its illegal mining.

Ten days ago, 11 officials, comprising officials with the local safety watchdog and land resources bureau, were accused of dereliction of duty and taking bribes from the mine.