By Ariel Lin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
BEIJING, China – Local officials in North China hid a coal mine explosion that killed more than 30 miners three weeks before the Beijing Olympics, state media reported. The accident occurred at 8:30 am on July 14th in Lijiawa Coal Mine of Yuxian county. Some explosives illegally stored in the pit blast off, killing more than 30 miners. The investigation report indicated that after the mine disaster, the corpses were taken away and kept hidden in surrounding areas, where the grieving families were also taken to be paid off. “Cash was used to keep them quiet as well as threats and other means, and the miners and their families were not allowed to reveal the facts to the outside,” said the report. The investigation also showed that some township and county officials had collaborated with the mine owners to conceal the accident.
Chinese government has punished 25 Communist Party and government officials involved in covering up the mine accident. Another 23 officials of various administrative departments were also under investigation. Governor Hu Chunhua said the Hebei province has serious problems with work and food safety. “This is a shocking case,” quoted governor Hu Chunhua. He called on officials of all levels in the province to take a lesson from the vital safety accident. Hebei is also home to Sanlu Dairy, company of the chemical-tainted milk powder that officials have blamed for killing four children and making many several thousands sick.
However, the investigation report did not explain why the deaths took so long to come to light. Some observers of Chinese politics said the cover-up appeared to be another instance of officials seeking to avoid recriminations before the Olympics, when they were under intense pressure to avoid accidents and protests.
A total of 3,786 coal miners died in gas blasts, flooding and other work accidents in China last year. The Lijiawa blast was not the only recent disaster to involve suggestions of official concealment and neglect.
For more information, please see:
AFP – China probes cover-ups in mine accidents: state media – 08 October 2008
China Daily – 25 officials punished over mine accident cover-up – 07 October 2008
Reuters – China milk scandal province hid mine disaster – 08 October 2008
Xinhuan – Three officials ousted for coal mine accidents in N China – 08 October 2008
