At least 82 people were killed and more than 120 others hospitalized after a gas explosion at the Liushenyu coal mine in China’s Shanxi province late Friday, according to state media and the Associated Press. Two miners remain missing.
The blast occurred at the mine in Qinyuan County and is considered China’s deadliest mining disaster in recent years. Local officials launched an investigation and reported uncovering serious violations by the mine’s operator, Shanxi Tongzhou Coal & Coke Group.
The explosion caused thick smoke and toxic gases underground, leading to chaos and suffocation among victims, the AP reported, citing China Central Television. The incident prompted increased safety inspections across China’s coal sector, which affected the supply outlook for coking coal and pushed prices higher Monday, according to Reuters.
Chinese authorities have intensified scrutiny after the explosion, with investigators identifying multiple violations at the site. The mine had been previously classified as disaster-prone due to its high gas content by China’s National Mine Safety Administration, the AP said. State media also reported discrepancies between the mine’s blueprints and the actual layout, complicating rescue efforts.
Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered a full-scale rescue and a thorough investigation to hold responsible parties accountable, the AP noted, citing the Xinhua News Agency. Officials also said those connected to the disaster have been placed under control. Despite efforts to improve safety, China has experienced numerous deadly mining incidents, including a 2009 explosion that killed 108 workers and a 2023 collapse in Inner Mongolia that claimed 53 lives.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
