The families of the 29 miners killed in a flooded iron ore mine in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region have received compensation, local sources said Friday.

Each family received 200,000 yuan (US$32,000), and six miners who were rescued have each received compensation of 5,000 yuan (US$641), plus some medical expenses from the mine company, the sources said.

The tragedy occurred at the Haolaigou Iron Ore Mine in Donghe District of Baotou on January 17, as 46 miners were changing shifts. Eleven miners escaped at the time of the accident.

Six miners were rescued two days later and 29 others were confirmed dead eight days later.

After the accident, all mines in Baotou were ordered to suspend operations until they were proved legal and safe.

Police are keeping Cao Shihu, owner of the Haolaigou Iron Ore Mine, under surveillance. Chaoyue Mining, is a private company with 100 employees. It was established in 2001. Its mines have a production capacity of 100,000 tons of iron ore concentrate a year.

The cause of the flooding remains unclear.

Inner Mongolia reported more than 84 mine accidents last year, including 23 coal mine accidents, and 124 deaths of miners, according to the regional work safety administration.

Zhao Shuanglian, vice chairman of the region, said the local government would step up efforts to improve the qualifications of miners, eliminate outdated mining facilities and close unsafe mines.

(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2007)