31 officials being investigated in coal mine accidents

Allegations include abuse of power, dereliction of duty and bribery

Thirty-one officials have been investigated for involvement in three coal mine accidents dating to 2009 that were hidden and falsely reported, the country's top procuratorate said on Thursday.

The officials, including coal industry administrators, work safety watchdog staff and town government officials, are suspected of crimes that included abuse of power, dereliction of duty and accepting bribes, the Supreme People's Procuratorate said in a statement.