CHINA- A deadly gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China has left at least 90 people dead, marking one of the country’s most serious mining disasters in recent years. Authorities confirmed that rescue operations are still ongoing as teams search for missing workers and treat the injured.
The blast occurred at the Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi province on Friday evening while 247 workers were underground. According to official reports, a sudden rise in carbon monoxide levels triggered the emergency, leading to a catastrophic explosion deep inside the mine.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene, deploying hundreds of rescue personnel to assist survivors and recover victims. At least 120 people were hospitalized, with several reported to be in critical condition due to toxic gas exposure and blast-related injuries. A number of miners were successfully brought to the surface within hours of the incident.
Local authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the explosion. Early findings suggest serious safety violations may have contributed to the disaster. Officials linked to the mine operator have reportedly been detained as part of the inquiry.
Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered an immediate and comprehensive rescue response, stressing the need for full accountability and stronger enforcement of industrial safety regulations. Premier Li Qiang also called for transparency in reporting and swift action to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Survivors described chaotic scenes inside the mine, with sudden smoke, strong chemical odors, and rapidly worsening visibility that made escape extremely difficult. Rescue teams continue to face challenging conditions underground, including toxic gas levels and unstable tunnels.
The Liushenyu mine disaster has renewed national attention on workplace safety in China’s coal industry, which remains one of the largest in the world. Despite ongoing safety reforms, mining accidents continue to claim lives, particularly in older or high-output mining regions.
Authorities say rescue and recovery operations will continue until all workers are accounted for. Meanwhile, a nationwide safety review of coal mining operations is expected in response to the tragedy.
The incident stands as a stark reminder of the risks faced by miners and the ongoing challenges of enforcing safety standards in high-risk industrial sectors.
