A catastrophic gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China has resulted in at least 90 fatalities, with many more individuals still unaccounted for. The blast occurred at the Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi province on Friday, May 22, at 7:29 pm local time, as reported by the state news agency Xinhua.
Details of the Incident
At the time of the explosion, 247 workers were underground. According to state broadcaster CCTV, at least 90 people lost their lives, and 123 others were transported to hospitals for medical treatment. Among the injured, four were reported to be in critical or severe condition. A massive rescue operation involving 755 emergency and medical personnel was launched, with efforts continuing into Saturday afternoon, May 23.
Historical Context
This disaster marks the deadliest mining incident in China since 2009, when a mine blast in Heilongjiang province claimed 108 lives.
Survivor Accounts
Wang Yong, a miner who survived the blast, recounted his experience to CCTV. He described seeing a puff of smoke and smelling sulfur before being choked by the smoke and losing consciousness. After lying unconscious for about an hour, he woke up and, along with nearby colleagues, managed to escape the mine.
Rescue and Investigation
Video footage from CCTV showed helmeted rescuers carrying stretchers at the site, with ambulances visible in the background. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for all-out efforts to treat the injured and demanded a thorough investigation into the incident. He emphasized that all regions and departments must learn from this accident, remain vigilant about workplace safety, and resolutely prevent major disasters. According to Xinhua, a person responsible for the company involved has been placed under legal control.
