At least 90 people have been confirmed dead following a gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China, marking the country’s deadliest mining disaster in more than a decade.
The explosion occurred late Friday at the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan County, located in Shanxi, according to state media reports. A total of 247 workers were reportedly underground at the time of the incident.
The mine is operated by Shanxi Tongzhou Group Liushenyu Coal Industry, a company established in 2010 and controlled by Shanxi Tongzhou Coal Coking Group.
Rescue efforts were still ongoing as emergency teams continued search and recovery operations at the site. Local authorities said the cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping directed authorities to spare no effort in treating the injured and rescuing trapped workers. He also ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and called for strict accountability for those found responsible.
Premier Li Qiang urged officials to ensure the timely and transparent release of information while emphasizing the need for rigorous accountability measures.
Authorities in Shanxi Province have deployed seven rescue and medical teams comprising 755 personnel to assist in the operation.
State media also reported that executives linked to the company operating the mine had been detained as investigations continued.
China has significantly reduced mining fatalities in recent years through tighter safety regulations and improved operational practices. However, mining accidents, often caused by gas explosions and flooding, still occur periodically in the country’s coal-rich regions.
The last mining disaster of a similar scale occurred in 2009, when a coal and gas outburst in Heilongjiang Province killed 108 people and injured 133 others.
