China’s coal hub Shanxi vows thorough probe after mining office fire kills 26
- Blaze at Yongju Coal Industry Joint Building counts among deadliest workplace accidents in China in recent years
- China’s coal producers are under constant scrutiny over accidents, often caused by lax safety standards and poor enforcement
This came as central authorities launched a sweeping campaign to eliminate safety risks in the mining industry.
“Development cannot come at the price of safety,” the Shanxi government said during their latest meeting on Saturday, saying lives came first and pledging to prevent major accidents.
Officials also vowed to identify those accountable for the deadly blaze at the Yongju Coal Industry Joint Building on Thursday, strengthen supervision of the sector and eliminate safety hazards.
The four-storey building in Luliang housed both offices and dormitories, and was used mostly by miners for showering and holding meetings, the provincial government said.
There were more than 200 lockers in the building and 1,700 baskets holding miners’ equipment, a spokesman said on Friday.