China's work safety supervisor reported Monday that 298 people have been killed or are missing in 17 major accidents, which are defined as accidents involving the deaths of 10 people or more.

A report by the State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) said that compared with the same period last year, the number of major accidents decreased by six and that of people who were killed or remain missing was down by 56.

It said that there was no "especially serious accidents" during the period, which is defined as involving the deaths of more than 30 people.

Of the major accidents, seven were in the coal mining industry and resulted in the deaths of 133 workers, while 79 people died in five major traffic accidents.

(Xinhua News Agency March 27, 2007)