BEIJING, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- China has required local authorities in southwest China's Guizhou Province to strengthen supervision over production safety in coal mines after an accident this month killed 13.
Officials with the Work Safety Committee of the State Council on Friday held talks with local authorities in the city of Liupanshui in Guizhou, where coal and gas explosion on August 6 killed 13 and injured 7, the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) said in an online statement.
This was the first major coal mine accident in the country this year and it was caused by improper gas control measures at the coal mine, according to preliminary investigation, the MEM said.
The accident reflected management loopholes at the coal mining company and also indicated insufficient supervision.
Local authorities should take measures to tackle issues that cause safety hazards including outdated mining methods and low standards for firms to get mining certificates, the statement said.
Authorities should strengthen the monitoring and control of gas in coal mines and step up supervision to ensure production safety, it added.
