The State General Administration of Work Safety announced Friday the punishment decisions for 33 people responsible for the coal mine blast which killed 214 miners in Fuxin in northeast China's Liaoning Province in February.

Liu Guoqiang, vice governor of Liaoning Province, was given a "serious disciplinary demerit" for responsibilities in leadership duty dereliction.

Liang Jinfa, board chairman and general manager of the Fuxin Coal Industry Group which the Sunjiawan Colliery where the tragedy occurred belongs to, was discharged from the post of chairman and dismissed his post in the Communist Party of China (CPC). 

Four people, including Song Jiamu, manager of Sunjiawan Colliery, were sent to the courts for punishment.

Of the other 27 people, 13 were dismissed from their administrative posts, eight were demoted, four were given "serious disciplinary demerits," one was given a serious warning by the CPC and one was kept in office on probation.

The suggestions for punishment of the 33 people were given by the investigation headquarters and the headquarters for responsibility ascertainment organized after the accident occurred.

The State Council agreed the punishment suggestions for the 33 people who were charged with responsibilities of the tragedy.

As one of the most deadly mining accidents in Chinese history, the accident occurred on Feb. 14 during the Spring Festival Holiday in about 242 meters underground in Sunjiawan colliery, of Fuxin coal industry group, Liaoning Province.

Three hundred thirty of the 574 miners on duty escaped, and 244miners were trapped beneath the shaft.

(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2005)