4 dead in covered-up colliery flooding in Gansu

Local work safety watchdog confirmed Thursday a coverup of a coal mine flooding that left four people dead and five others injured in northwest China last week.

The accident occurred on Jan. 2 at the Jinyuan coal mine in Yugur autonomous county of Sunan, Zhangye City, Gansu Province, sources said.

Mine owners attempted to cover up the accident, but a whistle-blower tipped off work safety authorities on Wednesday, leading to an investigation that confirmed the accident.

Those responsible for the accident are under police custody, sources said. A further investigation is under way.