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Eight officials held for fatal mine accident in N. China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-09-20 19:41

TAIYUAN -- Eight officials in Xiangfen County in north China's Shanxi Province have been detained for negligence following a fatal mine accident that killed 262.

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The provincial procuratorate confirmed on Saturday the officials included Lian Huizhong, head of the county's Taosi Township, Liang Deling, the township legislature director, Liu Weiguang, the township business office director, and three Xiangfen County Safety Production Supervision Bureau officials. Also held were two county land resources department officials.

Ke Hanmin, chief procurator of Shanxi Provincial Procuratorate, said the officials should be accountable for the accident because they didn't take due care despite knowing about the potential production risks in the Xinta Mining Company. On the morning of September 8, an iron ore waste retaining pond burst and engulfed at least 262 people.

He vowed the procuratorate would render heavy penalties to those found responsible for the accident to protect people's legitimate rights.