Probe into deaths in Chinese mine accident after claims of cover-up
- Six people were killed after they fell down a shaft at the site in Wuan, Hebei last month
- Authorities are investigating and say the incident was not reported
Six people were killed in an iron mine accident in northern China last month, the local government said on Wednesday, and an investigation is under way after the operator was accused of a cover-up.
They died after falling down a shaft at the mine in Wuan, Hebei province on February 24, the city government said in a statement after a preliminary investigation.
It also said the operator, Tuanchengdong Mining, did not report the accident to authorities as required by law.
Chinese media reports on the incident emerged on Tuesday after allegations began circulating online that three deaths had been covered up, including that compensation had been offered to the family of at least one miner.
The authorities launched an investigation which confirmed there had been an accident that was not reported and that six people had died.
Tuanchengdong Mining could not be reached for comment.