SINGAPORE : A deadly coal mining collapse in China this week is one of a growing number of industry accidents over the last year, government statistics show, coinciding with Beijing's recent push for higher production to improve energy security.
The National Mine Safety Administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the accident. Soaring global coal prices and energy supply disruption in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine also prompted Beijing to improve its energy security. In a review of the 2021 accidents, the NMSA said some coal mines were putting more emphasis on profits than safety.
Local mine safety regulators ordered coal mines in Inner Mongolia to carry out safety checks after the accident this week.China amended its criminal law in 2021 to include punishments of managers at mines involved in accidents due to over-production.