The Chinese government on Friday announced its decision to give disciplinary punishment to two vice provincial governors for their responsibility over fatal mine accidents.

The State Administration of Work Safety said at a press conference that the State Council, China's cabinet, has decided to "record a demerit" on Gong Deshun, former vice governor of the northwestern Shaanxi Province, for his responsibility for a coal mine gas explosion on Nov. 28, 2004 which killed 166 miners.

The State Council also decided to "record a severe demerit" on You Ningfeng, vice governor of the southern Guangdong Province, for a local coal mine flooding accident on Aug. 7, 2004 which killed 121 people.

Gong and You are two of the 222 officials that received different disciplinary penalties for their roles in six major coal mine accidents across the country. Among them, 96 have been handed over to judicial departments for criminal investigation.

Source: Xinhua