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Search continues as 254 dead in fatal mud-rock flow

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-09-15 21:30

XIANGFEN, Shanxi -- Rescuers continued to search for the missing in last Monday's fatal mud-rock flow in north China's Shanxi Province that killed 254 people and injured 34 to date.

No new bodies were found from 6 p.m. on Sunday to 6 p.m. on Monday. Rescuers were continuing to search in areas designated by the family members of the missing, according to Lian Zhendong, the rescue operation's chief.

"We will not stop the rescue work in a short time," he said. "We will do our best to make the family members of the missing see their relatives."

A rain-triggered mud-rock flow happened around 7:50 a.m. on September 8 when the bank of a pond holding waste ore dregs burst at the Tashan Mine in Xiangfen County, Linfen City, destroying buildings, trade markets and residences lying about 500 meters downstream.

The death toll has risen to 254, 151 of whom have been identified. The 34 injured, four seriously, were being treated in hospital.

An initial investigation showed that factors leading to the accident included the production and building of the pond was in violation of regulations. The mine also lacked a security checkup, failed to implement the orders for straightening up operations, in addition to the loose supervision of concerned safety departments.

The State Council, China's Cabinet, has ordered a nationwide safety check at similar production sites to root out hidden risks following the deadly accident.