Rescuers in northern China are searching for survivors after a coal mine explosion killed at least 82 people, marking the country's deadliest such incident in recent years.
Rescue Efforts Underway
An Associated Press reporter witnessed police and security personnel guarding the entrance to the mining facility in Qinyuan county, Changzhi city, as emergency vehicles remained on site. Hundreds of rescuers and medical personnel have been dispatched to assist, according to state media reports.
Official Response
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsible following the deadly gas explosion on Friday evening at the Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi province. Local officials reported that two people are missing and dozens of miners have been hospitalized. The death toll was revised down from 90, with officials attributing the discrepancy to chaotic scenes after the accident and inaccurate information provided by the mine operator.
Survivor Accounts
Some hospitalized miners recalled seeing smoke when the accident occurred and subsequently blacking out, state media reported. The coal mine has been found to have "seriously" violated the law, according to local officials, though specific violations were not detailed. China's state broadcaster CCTV earlier reported that blueprints provided by the mine did not match the actual layout, hindering rescue efforts.
Investigation and Inspections
The official Xinhua News Agency said those responsible for the company behind the accident had been "placed under control." Local authorities announced a comprehensive, blanket inspection of the coal mining sector, including checks on gas drainage, ventilation, safety monitoring systems, and underground layouts.
Impact on Coal Industry
Shanxi province, with a population of around 34 million, is China's main coal-mining region, employing hundreds of thousands of miners. A broader inspection could pressure the province's ability to produce its annual capacity of approximately 1.3 billion tons of coal, which accounts for nearly a third of China's total. Coal remains a major energy source in China due to its high availability and low cost, even as the country accelerates its green energy transition. Mining accidents were once common, and authorities have implemented measures to improve safety in recent years.
