The number of coal mine accidents in January was up 34.5 percent on the same month last year, according to a statement released by the State Administration of Work Safety on Wednesday.

Fatalities in coal mine accidents in the first month also soared 38.7 percent. The administration reported 15 "serious accidents" which resulted in 96 deaths in January.

Illegal mining and poor control of gas supplies were cited as major factors behind the increase in colliery accidents.

From January to November 2006, China recorded 3,413 coal mine accidents, down 6.9 percent from a year earlier. The accidents claimed 5,286 lives in total, down 7.9 percent.

(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2007)