Coal mine explosion in China kills 90 people.

Ninety people were killed and dozens more trapped underground after a gas explosion at a coal mine in Shanxi province, northeastern China.

Location of a coal mine in Shanxi Province, China. Graphic: CNN.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the incident occurred at approximately 7:30 PM on May 22nd at the Liushenyu coal mine in Changzhi City, Shanxi Province. At the time of the incident, 247 workers were working underground.

Initially, local officials announced that most workers had been brought to safety and the death toll was low. However, after a lengthy search and rescue operation, the casualty count was revised to at least 90 deaths, while many others remained missing.

Officials said that the concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) inside the mine had exceeded safe levels before the explosion. This colorless, odorless gas is commonly produced during the combustion of coal or fuel in oxygen-deficient conditions and is considered one of the major hazards to underground mining operations.

According to initial reports, the mine's toxic gas warning system sounded the alarm before the accident occurred. However, the exact cause of the explosion is still under investigation by authorities.

The Liushenyu coal mine is operated by the Sanxi Tongzhou Group. Chinese media reported that several business leaders involved have been detained for questioning.

Immediately after the incident, President Xi Jinping instructed rescue forces to "exert all their efforts" in searching for missing persons, treating the injured, and mitigating the consequences. He also demanded a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident and accountability for the individuals and organizations involved.

The Chinese leader also emphasized that local authorities and management agencies need to learn valuable lessons from the incident, strengthen workplace safety supervision, review potential risks, and prevent serious accidents from recurring.

Rescue teams arrive at the scene of the mine accident in Shanxi. Photo: Xinhua

Prime Minister Li Qiang subsequently also called for timely public disclosure of information and ensuring transparency in the rescue and investigation process.

Shanxi is one of China's largest coal mining centers, playing a crucial role in securing energy supplies for the economy . Over the past two decades, China has tightened safety regulations and gradually reduced the number of mining accidents significantly. However, gas explosions and coal mining incidents continue to pose a challenge to the industry.

Source: https://znews.vn/no-mo-than-tai-trung-quoc-90-nguoi-thiet-mang-post1653577.html