LEAD: 34 confirmed dead in landslide at China mine

Asian Economic News, Sept 15, 2008

BEIJING, Sept. 9 Kyodo

(EDS: UPDATING)

The number of people confirmed dead in Monday's landslide at a mine in northern China rose by eight overnight to reach to 34, state-run media reported Tuesday.

The accident happened at about 8 a.m. Monday when the landslide, triggered by heavy rain, buried a warehouse storing waste ore at the mine in Linfen city, Shanxi Province, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

It also destroyed an office building and nearby houses of villagers.

It is not known how many people are still buried.

Xinhua quoted local officials as saying that the mine was operating illegally and that a reservoir containing ore waste had burst its banks, sending mud and rock pouring down the hillside.

One worker was quoted as saying that the landslide which enveloped the buildings was several meters high.

More than 1,100 police, firefighters and local people are helping in the rescue effort, Xinhua said.

State TV showed footage of rescuers working with mechanical diggers trying to clear the mud and debris.

The owner of the mine and eight other people have been detained by the police, according to state media reports.

Several local officials, including the local head of the work safety department, have also been sacked, Xinhua said.

Rescuers say that many of the dead are migrant workers from other areas of China, making identification of the bodies difficult.