VietNamNet Bridge – Police in central Nghe An Province yesterday charged the owners of Len Co quarry with "labour safety violations" following the deaths of 18 people in a rockfall last Friday in Yen Thanh District's Nam Thanh Commune.

After an initial investigation, police charged quarry owners Chin Men Co Ltd and company boss Phan Cong Chin, 47, with negligence. "Despite being warned by local authorities several times, he did not abide by labour-safety regulations," said Thai Van Binh, deputy head of the district police.

An official report by the provincial Communications and Education Department said the quarry was being incorrectly mined.

The stone was exploited from the foot of Len Co Mountain which led to instability, the report stated.

The company was granted a licence to exploit the site five years ago by the provincial People's Committee.

On the day of the tragedy, in which six people were also injured, Viet Nam Outreach Organisation from Australia donated VND153 million (US$7,300) to 51 children whose relatives died in the rockfall.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News