A total of 453 people were punished in north China's Hebei Province last year for their roles in causing or failing to prevent coal mine accidents, according to the provincial bureau for supervising safety at collieries.

A source with the bureau said that 26 people will face lawsuits,16 people were given disciplinary punishment within the Party, 370 were given disciplinary sanction and 41 people face other forms ofpunishment.

The Hebei Provincial Bureau for Supervising Safety at Collieries and its branches investigated and checked safety work in 3,997 mines across the province, helping clear up 15,412 hiddensafety risks.

The bureau ordered nine collieries to suspend production and urged local mines to strengthen worker training on safety awareness and dealing with possible risks.

Three coal mines were closed due to accidents.

Source: Xinhua