( AP )- At least 27 Chinese miners are missing in two separate accidents concealed by mine owners in northeastern Heilongjiang Province, a state-run news agency reported Tuesday.
Xinhua News agency said 14 of the miners were missing after a cave-in at the Jianbao Coal Mine on Feb. 28 in Jixi City.
The mine's manager initially reported that only two men were trapped underground but local authorities began investigations after residents reported more men had gone missing.
Rescuers reportedly pumped out 80,000 cubic meters of water but none of the missing workers have been found.
In a separate accident at the Taiyuan Coal Mine in Hegang City, 43 men were trapped when the mine caught fire on March 5. Thirty were rescued but 13 others remain missing. The mine owner originally reported that everyone was safe.
The missing men are almost certainly dead because of the build-up of carbon monoxide gas, Xinhua quoted rescue workers as saying.
Preliminary investigations showed the accident was caused by either an underground cable fire or improper use of welding equipment.
Hegang City has ordered all 106 mines in the city to halt production for now, Xinhua said.
Police have detained five people for making false reports on the men, including the mine owner. The mine's assets were also frozen.
Under Chinese regulations, businesses that cover up work safety accidents or make false reports will be fined up to 5 million yuan (US$704,000). Those responsible should be fined 60 to 100 percent of their annual income. They would also be prosecuted for criminal responsibility
China's mining industry is the world's deadliest, claiming 3,786 lives in 2007. The number represents a 20 percent drop from 2006.