4 sacked over accident

• Source: Global Times
• [01:30 March 17 2010]
• Comments

Four officials were removed from their posts Tuesday after a coal mine fire killed 25 workers in central China.

The fire started with electric cables Monday in a main pit of Dongxing Coal Mining in Xinmi, Zhengzhou, capital of Henan Province, when 31 workers were working underground, the city government information office said.

Six miners were saved in a rescue operation that ended Tuesday.

The sacked officials included Su Yingxi, a vice mayor of Xinmi, Fan Ruihui, governor of Niudian township, where the mine is located, another township official in charge of work safety, and a deputy director of Xinmi coal mine bureau.

The mine was operating illegally, local authorities said.