Shanxi mine safety official investigated over May 22 blast

Geng Qinglu, an official of the Shanxi bureau of the National Mine Safety Administration, is under investigation for alleged serious violations of law related to the May 22 blast at the Liushenyu Coal Mine, operated by Shanxi Tongzhou Group in Changzhi, according to the Shanxi Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Provincial Supervisory Commission.

The commission has placed Geng under supervisory investigation, authorities said on Monday.

Geng, who served as a third-level researcher at the mine safety watchdog, a mid-ranking post equivalent to a division-level official, is suspected of dereliction of duty and other illegal activities related to the accident, the statement said.