A coal mine in north China's Shanxi Province has concealed a flood accident that had killed four people on Dec. 5, local authorities said on Sunday.

Xinzhuang Coal Mining Company, based in Shanyin County, concealed the information about the accident, did not report to the authorities and even transferred the dead bodies to other places, according to the interrogation of the mine head Zhang Yudong.

Miners and their relatives were also dismissed by the company, said the Shuozhou Municipal Work Safety authorities.

The municipal government set up an investigation team Sunday afternoon, and they will probe into the accident.

(Xinhua News Agency January 5, 2009)