The number of coal mine accidents in China in the first half of 2007 totaled 1,066, down 242 from the same period last year, based on figures released by the country's safety watchdog on Monday.

The death toll was 1,792, 14.3 percent lower than the same period last year, according to officials with the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety (SACMS) and the State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS).

The death ratio in producing one million tons of coal was 1.633, down 19.9 percent compared with the same period last year, said SACMS Director Zhao Tiechui.

"Though we have made some progress, we should still be aware of the severe situation regarding coal mine work safety," Zhao said at the conference.

He said illegal coal mines were still the main cause of coal mine accidents, and there was a rise in accidents involving gas explosions.

Zhao ordered all branches of the SACMS to continue strengthening work safety supervision, close illegal and small coal mines without safe working conditions and harshly punish those responsible for accidents.

(Xinhua News Agency July 3, 2007)