Heilongjiang officials say 27 missing in concealed mine accidents

HARBIN, March 11 (Xinhua) -- At least 27 miners have been confirmed missing in two colliery accidents that happened in recent weeks but were concealed by mine owners in the northeastern Province of Heilongjiang, local authorities said on Tuesday.

A total of 14 miners were missing after the Jianbao Coal Mine in Jixi City caved in on Feb. 28, but the coal mine manager reported that only two were trapped underground, according to the provincial work safety authority.

The Jixi government and Heilongjiang work safety bureau received reports from residents several days after the accident and started investigations among residents nearby as well as relatives of the missing miners.

Rescuers had pumped out about 80,000 cubic meters of flood water, but none of the missing workers have been found, local authorities said.

In another accident, in the Taiyuan Coal Mine of Hegang City, 43 miners were trapped when the mine caught fire on March 5, of whom only 30 were rescued. Thirteen others were missing. The casualties were concealed by the mine owner, who reported that everyone was safe.

The 13 trapped miners had no hope of survival because of high concentrations of toxic carbon monoxide gas, which have hampered rescue work, according to rescue sources. It was estimated that the spreading underground fire would take at least a week to put out.

Preliminary investigations showed that the accident was caused by an underground cable fire or improper use of welding equipment.

Hegang police had detained five suspects involved in false reports, including the coal mine owner, a financial backer and three managers. The mine's assets were also frozen.

These suspects would face severe penalties, according to the State Administration of Work Safety.