Late report of mine blast leads to discipline

Those responsible for the late reporting of an explosion at a gold mine under construction in eastern China have been placed under control, according to a news conference on Wednesday, as rescue teams were racing to save workers trapped underground.

The blast occurred at 2 pm on Sunday at the Hushan mine in Qixia, under the administration of Yantai city in Shandong province. But it was not until 8 pm the next day－30 hours later－that it was reported to Qixia's emergency department.

Those responsible for the reporting delay are "enemies of the people", Li Bo, vice-mayor of Yantai city, reiterated at the conference.