鹤岗矿难全国震惊

The fallout from China’s worst mining disaster in two years is now being felt here in Beijing. For the past few years the central government has been pushing a massive safety drive in the coal industry, mostly closing down small and often illegal operations.

But the pre-dawn blast on Saturday rocked a state-owned mine in the north of the country that produces more than a million tons of coal a year and is meant to have much higher safety standards. As the rescue operation continued over the weekend the state news agency reported that China’s President Hu Jingtao and Premier Wen Jiabao were personally issuing instructions, while a vice premier was dispatched to oversee the investigation. The central government was quick to blame poor management for the high death toll of the mine.

"This was clearly a result of negligence. We will continue to investigate and punish those responsible." Says this official.

The explosion happened 500 meters underground sparked by a buildup of toxic gases. In the hours after the blast the mine manager, his deputy and chief engineer were all removed from their posts. China relies on coal for more than 70% of its electricity, yet its coal mines are the deadliest in the world. More than 3000 miners died in workplace accidents last year and that is way down on previous years. After a sudden coal snap in recent weeks with the economy picking up, demand for coal has soared.

And state media reports the families of the victims will receive 50 kilograms of rice, 10 kilograms of dry noodles, some cooking oil as well as eggs , they’ll also receive a small bereavement payment.

John Vause cnn, Beijing.