9 arrest warrants issued for deadly coal mine flood in northern China

9 charged for coal mine flood in China

BEIJING — Chinese prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for nine technicians and engineers in connection with a mine flooding two months ago that killed 38 people but also riveted the country because 115 were rescued after more than a week trapped underground.

The official Xinhua News Agency said Wednesday the nine have been accused of failing to take measures to prevent flooding and neglecting signs of the imminent flood.

Of the 153 miners originally trapped on March 28, 115 miners were rescued. They survived by eating sawdust, tree bark and paper.

China’s mining industry is the deadliest in the world. Mining accidents killed 2,631 coal miners last year, down from 6,995 deaths in 2002, the worst year on record.