BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- China has seen a rebound of serious accidents in March despite a 15 percent drop in death toll throughout the first quarter of 2007.

    Statistics with the State Administration of Work Safety show the number of accidents causing three to nine deaths has climbed by 21 percent from the same period of last year, and the total of dead or missing in colliery accidents has been more than doubled.

    The administration said 82 percent of severe colliery accidents took place in coal mines owned by township. Forty percent of the accidents occurred in illegal collieries.

    Experts attributed the accidents to illegal production, loose control over work place safety and incompetent supervision by concerned departments.

    A spokesman with the administration said last week the accidents came at a time when collieries started to resume production after the long Spring Festival holiday.

    As gas quickly built up in a shaft when production was suspended, mine owners should carefully execute proper production procedures and stay on high alert before resuming operations.

    Suspended coal mines must go through rigorous examinations before going into operation again, said Li Yizhong, head of the State Administration of Work Safety at Monday's video conference.

    He required departments at all levels to work efficiently in dealing with accidents and make the investigation result known to the public as soon as possible, noting that people who give a deceptive report will be punished seriously.