A press conference was held to release information relating to Saturday’s colliery explosion that happened at a mine owned by the Baoma Mining Company in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

Regional officials attend the news conference about the Chifeng colliery accident, held at the Yuanxing Hotel in Yuanbaoshan town, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, at 4:00 am on Dec 4. [Photo/Inner Mongolia Morning Post]

The press conference was held at the Yuanxing Hotel in Yuanbaoshan town, Chifeng, at 4:00 am on Dec 4.

Wang Bo, vice president of the People’s Government of Inner Mongolia, presided over the conference and reported the current situation at the colliery and the status of rescue operations to assembled journalists.

A gas explosion occurred at the colliery around 11:30 am on Dec 3, resulting in 32 dead and many injured.

After the explosion, the company organized officers and workers to rescue trapped miners in the coal well. And 52 professional rescuers from the Inner Mongolia Pingzhuang Coal Company attached to the China Guodian Corporation also rushed to the accident scene to assist with the rescue.

Wang Bo, vice president of the People’s Government of Inner Mongolia, reports on the current situation at the accident site and the rescue arrangements, during the press conference held at 4:00 am on Dec 4. [Photo/Inner Mongolia Morning Post]

In total, local government and coal companies dispatched 268 policemen, 119 rescuers and medical personnel, and 32 ambulances.

Li Jiheng, secretary of the Inner Mongolia Party Committee; and Bu Xiaolin, chairwoman of the People’s Government of Inner Mongolia, came to the accident site to oversee rescue operations and arranged several groups to provide support to bereaved families, as well as compensation.

An accident investigation team set up by the State Council has begun to probe into the causes of the disaster, investigate officers in charge of the mine, and compensate victims and their families. The team intends to publish a transparent and comprehensive report on the accident for the public.

Journalists from across the country gather at the press conference held to release detailed information on the Chifeng colliery explosion and further deployment of rescue work in the accident site. [Photo/Inner Mongolia Morning Post]