According to state run news agency Xinhua, the accident happened at the privately run Duxing coal mine in June last year.

The coal mine had been operating illegally at the time of the accident.

The news agency reported the local court as saying four men in total had been charged for the deaths.

The court verdict found former Communist Party of China Sandu township chief Kuang Laojian was guilty of dereliction of duty, abuse of power, taking bribes and corruption.

He was jailed for 13 years.

Meanwhile, former Sandu township head Tao Guosheng was reportedly sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for dereliction of duty and abuse of power.

Another two officials were each jailed for three years for dereliction of duty and corruption.

The court reportedly accused the four officials of ignoring the safety risks at the mine and continuing operations despite the concerns.