Coal mine explosion in Shanxi kills at least 90 as oversight chief arrested
Rescue efforts continue in China’s primary coal-producing region following a blast that killed at least 90 workers, marking the deadliest mining incident in the country in over a decade.
A gas explosion at the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan county, Shanxi province, has killed at least 90 people, according to state media reports. The blast occurred on Friday while 247 workers were underground, shortly after a carbon monoxide alert was issued. Rescue operations remain ongoing as emergency crews search for survivors, with the final death toll expected to rise.
The incident has triggered a direct response from the central government. President Xi Jinping has urged authorities nationwide to intensify efforts to prevent major accidents, stating that all regions and departments must learn from the disaster. In a directive reported by Xinhua, Xi emphasised the need to remain vigilant regarding workplace safety, thoroughly investigate risks, and resolutely curb the occurrence of serious accidents.
State-run broadcaster CGTN confirmed that the mine’s overseer has been arrested while authorities investigate the cause of the explosion. Reports indicate the blast occurred shortly after gas levels may have exceeded safe limits, although the exact cause remains under investigation. The incident is being described as the deadliest mining disaster in China in more than a decade, highlighting persistent safety concerns in the sector.
Shanxi province is China’s main coal-mining region, extracting more than one billion tonnes of coal last year, which accounts for almost a third of the nation’s total output. China remains the world’s largest producer and consumer of coal, accounting for more than half of global consumption, while also being the largest annual greenhouse gas emitter.
Video footage from the scene showed ambulances gathered near the mine as the emergency response unfolded. China’s coal mines have historically been considered among the deadliest in the world due to poor safety standards, weak regulation, and corruption as companies seek profit from the country’s rapidly expanding economy.
