Post by : Shakul

At least 90 people were killed after a devastating gas explosion ripped through the Liushenyu Coal Mine in Shanxi, making it the deadliest mining disaster in China in more than a decade. The explosion occurred late Friday evening while hundreds of workers were underground, triggering a massive emergency rescue operation.

According to Chinese state media, around 247 workers were on duty at the time of the blast. Rescue teams managed to pull more than 100 miners to safety while hundreds of emergency personnel rushed to the site to search for survivors and assist the injured. Authorities confirmed that dozens of victims suffered from exposure to toxic gases following the explosion.

Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered officials to spare no effort in rescue operations and demanded a full investigation into the cause of the disaster. He also instructed authorities to hold those responsible accountable if safety violations are discovered during the investigation.

Reports indicate that 27 injured workers remain hospitalized, including one person listed in critical condition. Survivors described scenes of chaos inside the mine after the sudden gas leak and explosion. Miner Wang Yong told state media that he saw thick smoke spreading rapidly through the tunnels and watched workers collapse after inhaling poisonous fumes before he himself lost consciousness.

Authorities have not officially confirmed the exact cause of the blast, but preliminary reports suggest dangerous levels of carbon monoxide were detected inside the mine. Some members of the mine’s management team have reportedly been detained as investigators examine possible negligence and safety failures.

The Liushenyu mine had previously been identified by Chinese regulators as a site with serious safety risks. In 2024, China’s National Mine Safety Administration listed the facility among locations with major safety hazards. The operating company, Tongzhou Group, had also reportedly received penalties earlier this year over workplace safety violations.

Shanxi province is one of China’s largest coal-producing regions and accounts for more than one-quarter of the country’s total coal output. Although China has tightened mining regulations and improved safety standards in recent years, deadly mining accidents continue to occur across the country.

The tragedy has once again raised concerns over worker safety and industrial oversight in China’s massive coal industry, which remains a critical source of energy for the country despite growing investment in renewable energy and cleaner technologies.

#China #Disasters #World News