The number of accident-related deaths in China over the first 10 months dropped 13.7 percent year on year, the country's work safety watchdog said on November 11.

Meanwhile, the number of accidents declined 14.1 percent from the same period last year, data released on the website of the State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) showed.

According to information unveiled earlier by the SAWS, 210,797 accidents occurred in China during the January-September period, down 21.3 percent year on year.

The accidents altogether claimed 45,409 lives, representing a 15.3-percent year-on-year drop, the SAWS said.

In its efforts to improve work safety, the SAWS planned to shut down 625 small coal mines that pose safety risks by the end of the year.