An explosion occurred early in the morning on 3 October at the No2 Coal Mine run by the Hebi Coal Industry (Group), Corp in Henan Province, killing at least 34 miners. The company was previously named one of China's top 520 state-owned enterprises.
When the explosion took place, 53 miners were working underground and only 19 of them managed to escape, according to Xinhua. The other 34 were confirmed dead. The blast was the first officially reported serious industrial accident in China since the start of the week-long National Day holiday on 1 October.
The Henan Safety Committee issued a circular on 2 October reminding all provincial officials to remain alert to prevent accidents during the holiday, and warned that officials who failed in their duty would be dismissed, Xinhua said.
After the accident in Hebi City, Henan party secretary Xu Guangchun and Vice-Governor Shi Jichun had arrived at the scene to direct an investigation into the explosion. Zhao Tiechui, director of the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety, also arrived in Hebi after the accident, the report said.
Xinhua reported that the mine started production as early as 1958 and was equipped with "all necessary licences". The cause of the blast was still under investigation.
Sources: South China Morning Post (4 October 2005), Xinhua News Agency (3 October 2005)
When the explosion took place, 53 miners were working underground and only 19 of them managed to escape, according to Xinhua. The other 34 were confirmed dead. The blast was the first officially reported serious industrial accident in China since the start of the week-long National Day holiday on 1 October.
The Henan Safety Committee issued a circular on 2 October reminding all provincial officials to remain alert to prevent accidents during the holiday, and warned that officials who failed in their duty would be dismissed, Xinhua said.
After the accident in Hebi City, Henan party secretary Xu Guangchun and Vice-Governor Shi Jichun had arrived at the scene to direct an investigation into the explosion. Zhao Tiechui, director of the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety, also arrived in Hebi after the accident, the report said.
Xinhua reported that the mine started production as early as 1958 and was equipped with "all necessary licences". The cause of the blast was still under investigation.
Sources: South China Morning Post (4 October 2005), Xinhua News Agency (3 October 2005)