Sep 3,2003(Xinhua) A total of 1,671 people were killed in China in serious accidents such as coal mine flooding and fireworks factory explosions from January to August of this year.

According to the State Administration of Work Safety, a total of 90 serious accidents occurred in the period across the country,each killing at least 10 people.

Coal mine accidents caused the highest casualties of 766 people,followed by traffic accidents which resulted in 572 deaths, figures from the administration showed.

From Jan. 1 to Aug. 31, 10 accidents each involving the deaths of at least 30 people were reported, higher than the same period last year, said the administration, but it did not give figures ofsuch accidents last year.

Meanwhile, 80 accidents each resulting in 10 to 29 deaths were reported, down from last year, according to the administration.