The Work Safety Committee of the State Council on Wednesday summoned the provincial government of east China's Shandong Province in the wake of a deadly gold mine accident that killed 10 people.

The State Council committee has decided to supervise the investigation behind the cause of the accident. The deputy director of the National Mine Safety Administration has been sent to Shandong to lead a thorough investigation. The committee will probe into reasons and officials responsible for delaying information about the accident. It will also explain the reasons behind the accident to the families of the victims and the society.

The committee also pointed out that the cover-up of the accident had delayed the search and rescue operation. This case also exposed the local government's failure to regulate the mining industry, said the committee.

Shandong Wucailong Investment Co. Ltd., the mine owner, has been criticized for a 30-hour delay in reporting the accident. 

The Party chief and the mayor of Qixia City, where the gold mine is located, were sacked on January 15. The police detained eleven managers of the company for reporting the accident late.

On January 10, a gold mine collapsed at 2 p.m. in Xicheng Township of Qixia City. One person is still missing, and 11 others have been rescued after remaining trapped in the collapsed mine for two weeks. 

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