China coal mine blast kills at least 90 in worst disaster in 16 years
A gas explosion at Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi has killed at least 90 people, becoming China’s deadliest mining accident since 2009.
At least 90 people have been killed in a gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China’s Shanxi province, marking the country’s deadliest mining disaster in more than 16 years, Chinese state media Xinhua reported.
The explosion occurred late on Friday at the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan County while 247 workers were underground. Earlier reports had confirmed eight deaths and 38 people trapped, but the toll was later revised sharply upwards as rescue operations continued.
Local emergency authorities said the cause of the accident remained under investigation.
Shanxi is China’s coal-mining heartland, and gas explosions and flooding have long been among the major risks in the industry.
President Xi Jinping ordered authorities to spare no effort in treating the injured and carrying out search-and-rescue operations.
He also called for a thorough investigation and strict accountability under the law.
Premier Li Qiang urged officials to release information in a timely and accurate manner and ensure rigorous accountability.
The mine is operated by Shanxi Tongzhou Group Liushenyu Coal Industry, which was established in 2010 and is controlled by Shanxi Tongzhou Coal Coking Group, according to corporate database Qichacha.
Xinhua reported that executives of the company responsible for the mine have been detained.
Shanxi authorities have sent seven rescue and medical teams, totalling 755 personnel, to the site, according to the Qinyuan emergency management bureau.
China has significantly reduced coal-mine deaths since the early 2000s through tighter regulations and safer practices. However, the latest blast is the country’s worst coal mine disaster since at least 2009, when a coal and gas outburst in Heilongjiang province killed 108 people and injured 133.
