Police have arrested 15 people for covering up a mine accident in south China that is feared to have left up to 300 people dead, state media reported today.
Xinhuanews agency said those detained were responsible for the flooding on July 17th at two mines in Nandan county of Guangxi province and for trying to conceal the flooding.
Local government and mine officials repeatedly denied reports that several hundred miners were killed, but after persistent media pressure the central government last week admitted there were fatalities.
Cabinet minister Mr Li Rongrong was dispatched to coordinate the rescue of up to 300 miners underground and the mines' owner was arrested.
Rescue workers are pumping out tons of warm water from the mine shaft 700 metres underground but there is virtually no hope of survivors. Xinhuasaid the first two bodies were recovered late yesterday.
Mine bosses only admit at least 70 people were underground when workers drilled into a disused shaft that had been filled with water to prevent collapse. They claim to have lost the exact list of names.
AFP