Beijing, Mar 18 (IANS): A total of 18 government officials in southwest China's Guizhou province have been punished over three coal mine accidents that killed nearly 60 people, officials said.
The officials work in two counties under Liupanshui city, Xinhua reported.
The director of the work safety department and the heads of two counties were given administrative disciplinary sanctions, while other officials were removed from their posts.
As many as 21 miners were killed in a coal and gas outburst last week at the Machang mine in Shuicheng county. On Jan 18, 13 miners died in an explosion at the Jinjia mine in Panxian, while 23 miners were killed in a gas burst at the Xiangshui mine in November 2012.