A gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China has killed at least 90 people, according to state media reports, with officials warning that the death toll could still rise. The incident occurred on Friday at the Liuxinyu coal mine in Shanxi province, where hundreds of rescue workers were deployed immediately after the blast.
Footage from state broadcaster showed paramedics carrying stretchers at the site, with ambulances stationed nearby. More than 100 people have been taken to hospital, while search and rescue operations continue at the mine.
Incident details
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Liuxinyu coal mine, Shanxi province |
| Time of incident | Friday, 19:29 local time (11:29 GMT) |
| Workers on site | 247 |
| Confirmed deaths | At least 90 |
| Hospitalised | More than 100 |
| Rescue personnel deployed | 345 from six teams |
| Reported cause (preliminary) | Excess levels of carbon monoxide |
According to the report, the explosion took place at 19:29 local time (11:29 GMT) on Friday in a coal mine in Shanxi. At the time of the incident, 247 workers were present underground.
China’s emergency management ministry deployed 345 personnel drawn from six rescue teams to assist in ongoing operations.
State news agency Xinhua reported that officials responsible for the operation of the mine have been detained. The cause of the gas explosion has not yet been officially confirmed. However, state media stated that levels of carbon monoxide, a highly toxic and odourless gas, had exceeded safe limits inside the mine.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for maximum efforts in the treatment of the injured and in locating survivors. He also instructed authorities to investigate the cause of the disaster and ensure accountability for those responsible.
Shanxi province, one of China’s key coal-producing regions, has long been associated with mining activity. The region has historically been regarded as the country’s coal mining hub.
Coal mining accidents were more common in China in the early 2000s. Although safety standards have been tightened in recent years, serious incidents continue to occur.
In 2023, a collapse at an open-pit coal mine in Inner Mongolia killed 53 people. In 2009, more than 100 people died in a coal mine explosion in Heilongjiang province in north-eastern China.
China remains the world’s largest consumer of coal and one of the highest emitters of greenhouse gases, while also expanding renewable energy capacity at a rapid pace.