Three mine owners have been sentenced to five years in prison
each for their roles in the collapse of a gypsum mine that killed
33 people in north China's Hebei Province.
The Kangli mine in Shangwang village, Xingtai County, collapsed
in November last year, damaging two other gypsum mines nearby and
toppling a two-story building. The accident claimed 33 lives, and
left 38 injured and four missing.
At Xingtai County People's Court, Zhang Guohong, Zhang Yukui,
and Shang Bingshen were charged with negligence in dealing with
safety risks even after being served with a correction notice from
the local work safety bureau.
An investigation team organized by the State Council found that
the three mines, which had no safety production permits, continued
to operate after being told to cease production for safety
maintenance.
Another three managers, Xu Chunsheng, Fan Shukui and Guo Xuekui,
were each jailed for four years, according to Thursday's Hebei
Daily.
(Xinhua News Agency October 13, 2006)
