China orders tighter coal-mining safety

China's State Council is ordering local authorities to strengthen safety at coal mines across the country.

It comes after 19 workers were killed by a gas and coal outburst in a mine in southwest China's Guizhou Province. The notice tells local departments to inspect any mine which wants to resume production.

It says coal mines which fail to meet safety standards should not be allowed to reopen, and those who abuse their power by reducing safety standards will be punished.