The site of the machine collapse accident at the Three Gorges, where the world's largest hydropower project is being built, was finally cleared Friday.
A conveyer belt machine collapsed on September 3, killing three workers and injured 31 others.
The other four conveyer belt machines and the two roof belt machines at the site were shortly ordered to cease operation until investigations are carried out.
Members of the investigation team have collected samples of the broken parts of the machine. These samples and pictures will be sent for examination to concerned inspection departments and companies, including China's commodity inspection authority and Rotec Co., the American producer of the machine.
"We're intensifying our efforts to create conditions for the early resumption of production," said a member.
(Xinhua 09/22/2000)