BEIJING, Apr 24 (AP) -- The governor of China's most populous province has called for bigger fines for coal mine accidents in an attempt to reduce the often-deadly mishaps, state media reported Tuesday.

Xinhua News Agency quoted Li Chengyu, governor of Henan province, as saying a recent series of mine accidents was "very harrowing."

Li said at a government meeting that 89 people had been killed in 11 mining accidents in Henan so far this year, 2 1/2 times the number in the same period last year.

He said local government officials and mine managers should pay heavy fines for accidents. No figure was given. Many local officials ignore safety violations.

In the latest case, 33 miners have been missing since April 16 and presumed dead after an explosion ripped through a mine in Henan's Baofeng county.

The mine had earlier been shut down, but had resumed operations without government consent. The owner and five managers fled after the accident, and were later captured.

"It shows the mine owners have no respect for the law and miners' lives," Li was quoted as saying.

Mining is a big industry in Henan, which has about 100 million people.

He said some local officials allow illegal mines to keep operating because closing them would cut into economic growth and government revenues.

China's coal mines are the world's deadliest, with numerous fires, floods and other disasters every year despite repeated government promises to improve safety.

The government says 4,750 people died in coal mine accidents last year -- an average of 13 a day.