Police have detained eleven people in connection with a fatal coal mine explosion in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality at the end of October.
The State Administration of Work Safety said Tuesday that the detainees are facing several criminal charges, including illegal mining and negligence.
An official investigation found evidence to suggest that the explosion, which led to 33 deaths, was due to operational negligence of Jinshangou Coal Mine Co.
The company had operated beyond its mining boundaries, used outdated, inefficient or malfunctioning equipment, and failed to ensure adequate ventilation, and its health and safety management was disorderly, said a statement released after the investigation.
Following the explosion, Chongqing ordered a safety overhaul and temporarily closed all collieries with less than 90,000 tonnes of annual output. The Jinshangou mine has a designed annual output of 60,000 tonnes, according to its license.
The State Council has called for a nationwide review to prevent similar incidents.
