Li, also head of the delegation sent by the Central Government to investigate the mine disaster, pointed out that the accident should be trailed to the bottom as quickly as possible.

Up-cover to be held responsible

Li Zhaozhuo, chairman of the Autonomous Region said Saturday that the truth should be found out as quickly as possible and those who covered up the accident would be held responsible.

Li stressed that thorough investigation should be made to give an explanation to the Central Government, the State Council, all the people in the autonomous region and the whole society. "Whoever and no matter which department concerned with the covering up of the accident would be resolutely held responsible without any mercy", he said.

Underground water flooded the Lajiapo Tin Mine and Longshan Tin Mine around 3:30 am July 17, causing an unknown number of deaths.

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council have urged that immediate steps be taken to investigate the accidents and punish those responsible.

Li has ordered the pumping out of the mines, in order to ascertain the extent of the loss of life and damage. He stressed that personnel and units responsible for the accidents would be punished.

He said the exploration and development of tin mines in Nandan County must be put in order to guard against similar accidents.

The autonomous regional government can gain support from the central government should it encounter any difficulty that could not be resolved, the official said.

Meanwhile, he thanked the media for the supervision and support to the Nandan accident.

(People’s Daily 08/06/2001)