A total of nine people were placed for prosecution for their alleged role in attempting to cover up a fatal coal mine gas explosion that killed 11 miners last April in Jiaxian County, central China's Henan Province.

Included were Zhang Jianghai, leader of Xijing Coalpit, his six aides, as well two officials in charge of assignments. Xijing Coalpit is operated by Daliushan Coal Industry Company, a subsidiary of Yuantian Corporation in Henan Province.

The provincial government on Tuesday convened an executive meeting during which participants listened to a report about the investigation into the coal mine gas explosion.

In addition to facing criminal charges, the nine people were also meted out administrative disciplinary sanctions, including having the production license revoked, according to a decision adopted at the meeting.

A gas explosion took place at Xijing Coalpit in Jiaxian County around 9:45 PM on April 26, when 66 miners were working underground, killing 11 miners and injuring 18 more.

In order to cover up the accident, the coalpit authorities destroyed evidences, such as the record of miners who had gone down the shaft, and transferred remains elsewhere, while disseminating an information claiming that only five miners were killed, seven injured slightly in the accident, and the rest escaped unhurt.

(Xinhua News Agency July 6, 2006)