Victims' families compensated for deadly mine accidents

The families of 35 victims in two recent fatal mine accidents in southwest China's Yunnan province will be compensated nearly 1 million yuan each, local authorities said Monday.

The mine owners have reached agreements with the victims' families to pay 960,000 yuan ($153,600) to each family, according to the information office with the Qujing municipal government.

The accidents both happened in the city of Qujing. A flood has claimed 21 lives so far since April 7. Rescuers are searching for the last miner missing in the flood.

Another blast killed 14 miners on April 21.

Qujing is a major coal production base in Yunnan's eastern part. Altogether 16 mine managing staff involved in the two accidents have been detained by police.

Another 11 local officials in charge of work safety have been removed or suspended from their posts pending further investigation, according to the office.