A major coal mine explosion in Shanxi, China's largest coal-producing province, has killed at least 82 people, with controversy mounting over lax safety management after reports that a carbon monoxide alarm sounded just before the blast.
A gas explosion occurred the previous day at a coal mine in Qinyuan County, Shanxi Province, China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reported Tuesday. At the time of the accident, 247 workers were underground, and a significant number were reportedly trapped at the site. Authorities said at least 82 people have died so far.
The explosion is reported to have occurred immediately after mine operators detected abnormal carbon monoxide levels inside the mine and issued an alert. It has not yet been confirmed whether additional workers remain buried.
Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered all-out rescue efforts immediately after the accident. "All possible resources must be deployed in the search for the missing," Xi said, stressing that "those responsible for the accident must be held strictly accountable." He added, "Regions and ministries must take this accident as a lesson to strengthen industrial safety inspections and prevent the recurrence of major accidents."
Chinese state media reported that Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing and local officials have been deployed to the site to direct emergency response operations.
Shanxi is regarded as China's largest coal-producing region. While mine safety in China has improved over the decades, safety protocols across the industry often remain loose, leading to frequent accidents. Last month, four miners were killed in an accident at a coal mine in the Lvliang area.
