At least 90 people have been killed and dozens are missing after a gas explosion at a coal mine in Shanxi province, northern China, in what is thought to be the country’s worst mining disaster in 16 years.
The blast occurred on Friday evening at the Liushenyu coal mine, operated by the Tongzhou Group in Changzhi city. Around 250 workers were underground at the time, according to state news agency Xinhua. Initial reports indicated 82 deaths and nine missing, but the toll was later revised upward.
Rescue teams have been deployed to the scene, with 345 personnel from six teams assisting the operation. Many of the injured suffered from toxic gas exposure, and levels of carbon monoxide exceeded safety limits at the mine. President Xi Jinping called for “all-out efforts” to treat the injured and urged thorough investigations, stressing the need to prevent future major accidents.
Shanxi is China’s main coal-producing province, accounting for nearly a third of the country’s output. Although safety standards have improved since deadly accidents were common in the early 2000s, incidents still occur. In 2009, an explosion in Heilongjiang killed more than 100. The cause of the latest blast is under investigation, and executives from the mining company have reportedly been detained.
