A deadly gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China has killed at least 90 people. The incident is being described as one of the worst mining disasters in recent years.
The accident took place at the Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi province. It happened on Friday at around 7:29 PM local time, according to official reports.
Authorities confirmed that 247 workers were underground at the time of the blast. The explosion led to a large-scale rescue operation across the site.
State media reported that at least 90 workers lost their lives in the incident. Another 123 miners were taken to hospitals for treatment. Several remain in critical condition.
China deployed hundreds of emergency and medical staff to the location. Around 755 rescue workers took part in ongoing operations at the mine.
Some injured workers have already been discharged after treatment. Officials said 33 miners had returned home by Saturday afternoon.
The explosion is now considered the worst mining disaster in China since 2009. That earlier accident killed 108 people in northeast Heilongjiang province.
Survivors described chaotic scenes during the blast. One miner reported a sudden “puff of smoke” followed by a strong sulphur smell inside the mine.
He said visibility dropped quickly, and many workers were affected by smoke inhalation. Some lost consciousness before rescue teams arrived.
President Xi Jinping directed emergency teams to carry out “all-out efforts” to save lives. He also ordered a full investigation into the cause of the explosion.
Officials in China have stressed the importance of improving workplace safety standards. They warned that lessons must be learned to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
State media also reported that one person connected to the mining company has been taken into custody. Investigations into safety violations are ongoing.
The tragedy has once again raised concerns about industrial safety in China’s mining sector. China has long faced challenges in preventing accidents in deep underground coal mines.
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Authorities said rescue operations will continue until all workers are accounted for. Medical teams remain on high alert as the situation develops.
