At Least 90 Feared Dead After Explosion Rocks Chinese Mine

At least 90 people have been killed following a gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China’s Shanxi province, authorities confirmed on Friday.

The blast occurred at the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan county while 247 miners were working underground. Emergency teams are continuing rescue operations as dozens remain unaccounted for.

State media reported that the explosion happened shortly after dangerous carbon monoxide levels were detected inside the mine. Chinese authorities have arrested the official responsible for overseeing operations at the facility as investigations into the cause of the disaster continue.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for nationwide inspections and stronger workplace safety measures, urging officials to prevent similar tragedies.

Shanxi province is China’s largest coal-producing region, accounting for nearly one-third of the country’s annual coal output. China remains the world’s biggest producer and consumer of coal, despite increasing investment in renewable energy.

The incident is being described as China’s deadliest mining disaster in more than a decade, renewing concerns over safety standards in the country’s coal industry.

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