Gas Explosion Kills at Least 90 at Coal Mine in China's Shanxi Province

A gas explosion at the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan county, Shanxi province, killed at least 90 workers on Friday evening. The blast occurred at 19:29 local time when 247 workers were underground. State media initially reported eight deaths before the toll rose sharply.

Rescue teams continue searching for survivors and nine people remain missing. Shanxi provincial authorities dispatched seven rescue and medical teams totaling 755 personnel. The main entrance slopes at about 30 degrees, requiring all supplies to move by mine cars.

President Xi Jinping called for authorities to spare no effort in treating the injured and conducting search operations. He also ordered a thorough investigation and strict accountability in accordance with the law. Premier Li Qiang directed timely release of information and rigorous accountability.

The Liushenyu mine is operated by Shanxi Tongzhou Group Liushenyu Coal Industry, established in 2010. Executives of the operating company have been detained. Carbon monoxide levels reportedly exceeded limits shortly before the blast. 3 billion tons of coal last year, nearly one-third of China's total output.

The province is the country's main coal-mining region. China has reduced coal-mine fatalities since the early 2000s through stricter regulations. The current toll marks the deadliest mining accident reported in the country since at least 2009, when an explosion in Heilongjiang province killed 108 people.

" — President Xi Jinping, May 23, 2026 (Xinhua) More than 100 people have been taken to hospital, with four in critical or severe condition, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The cause remains under investigation by local emergency management authorities.