China - 134 die in mine flood as Harbin's water is restored

"The water tastes great" - Zhang Zuoji
As promised Zhang Zuoji, the provincial governor, took the first drink of water after supplies were restored to Harbin, Sunday. “It tastes great”, said Zhang, in an attempt to restore public confidence following the recent environmental catastrophe with more than 100 tonnes of benzene flowing into the Songhua river in north-east China. Careful plans to ensure water quality are said to be continuing. However, some residents were still without water today. Meanwhile Russia remains on alert as the flow of polluted water heads for its border.
Also in China, emergency procedures were in full swing after Saturday’s earthquake which killed 14, 13 according to CCTV9. Tents were being sent to provide emergency accommodation for the residents of Ruichang and Jujiang in Jiangxi province. The 5.7 quake was felt in neighbouring provinces Hubei, Fujian, Jingsu and Shandong, but there was said to be no impact on the ‘Three Gorges Dam’ currently under construction 900 km from the epicentre.
In another recent disaster to hit China, an explosion in a mine has killed 134 and injured many others in Heilongjing province [Xinhua News]. 15 were also said to be trapped in the second mining accident this week. 3000 miners have died this year in mining disasters. CNN, quoting state run media sources, said 1,000,000 are killed in China every year by natural and man-made disasters.
[21:00 GMT 28/11/2005]