China will step up safety checks of major state-owned coal mines after a series of accidents in the better-equipped collieries this year, the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety said Wednesday.

The administration will launch a five- to seven-day campaign at the end of June, sending five inspection groups to 10 provinces including Hebei and Shanxi.

The teams will focus on potential gas explosion and floods.

On May 30, illegal mining practices led to the death of 25 miners in the Tonghua Coal Mine, which is affiliated with the state-owned Songzao Mining Bureau of Chongqing.

(Xinhua News Agency June 18, 2009)