The risk of accidents in mines and illegal acts of mining companies increased in recent years, a senior official of the state work safety authority said on Tuesday.

Due to lack of technical staff and poor safety management, most of the small coal mines use outdated equipment, Sun Huashan, deputy director of State Administration of Work Safety, said during a keynote speech at the 11th National Mining Technical Rescue Competition.

As the mine industry market booms, the factories gained strong incentives to resume production and exceed original targets, Sun added.

However, the companies didn't put enough money and resources at the early stage and the equipment lack of maintenance, according to Sun.

Up to the end of last year, 21 national mine emergency rescue teams were set up with 483 local professional mine rescue teams and 29, 000 personnels.

During 2006 to 2016, the national mining rescue team had attended to 33, 000 accidents and rescued 71, 000 people.

The national mining technical rescue competition was held every two years with the participation of nationwide rescue teams and aimed at improving the efficiency of rescue ability at grass-roots level and increase the fighters emergency handling ability.

Sun also advised the competition should be accident-oriented to set up the mine rescue projects to show the authenticity of the team.