ZHENGZHOU, Dec. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Coal mines which engage in illegal operation and have fatal accidents in Henan, a leading coal producer in central China, will be fined 1 million yuan (123,456 US dollars) for causing each death, according to a stipulation announced here Tuesday.

    In addition, coal mines found to engage in production without required operation licenses will be fined between 2 million yuan (246,913 US dollars) and 5 million yuan (617,283 US dollars), and forced to close, according to the new rule.

    The stipulation came in the wake of a deadly coal mine flooding which left 42 miners missing on Friday in Xin'an County of Henan Province.

    The tragedy took place last Friday at Sigou Coal Mine, a privately-run firm, when 76 miners were working underground. Only 34 miners escaped the flooding. Enditem