Reported by China’s official news agency, Xinhua, safety and administration officials last week announced the explosion at the Heshan Coal Mine Co mine in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region was triggered when a miner used a cigarette lighter, even though they are banned from the site.

The political aftermath of the explosion, which also injured a further nine miners, has caused 14 government officials to be suspended, including the vice-mayor of Heshan.

The company reportedly has an annual production capacity of around 8 million tons.