The state-run New China News Agency reports that a Chinese mine owner is on the run after an investigation into an explosion at a gold mine in Shanxi province led to the discovery of 35 bodies.
It was originally reported that two workers were killed in the accident. However, calls to local police from family of missing mine workers prompted further investigation. Police located the bodies and identified two trucks used to transport them from the gold mine to remote gullies, caves and ditches.
A foreman at the mine, in the village of Yixingzhai, is also said to be a fugitive.
China has the world’s worst record of mine disasters: the number of fatalities per year has been known to reach 5,000. In an attempt to curb the problem, officials have closed small coal mines and imposed safety measures.
In the first five months of this year, 3,393 mining deaths were reported.
The more dangerous jobs are usually filled by men from impoverished farming areas, who are willing to work long hours for the equivalent of $70-100 a month.
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