The death toll from the Liushenyu coal mine explosion in Qinyuan county, Shanxi province, has surged to at least 82, with nine miners still missing.
The sudden jump from initial reports of eight fatalities shocked the nation and marked one of China’s deadliest mining disasters in a decade.
The blast occurred on Friday evening while 247 miners were underground. State media reported carbon monoxide levels had exceeded limits before the explosion. By early Saturday, rescue teams had brought 201 workers to the surface, but dangerous underground conditions continued to hamper efforts to locate the missing.
Authorities have detained mine executives as part of a probe into safety lapses. President Xi Jinping ordered officials to “spare no effort” in rescue operations and ensure strict accountability, while Premier Li Qiang demanded transparency and rigorous investigation. Both leaders stressed the need to learn from the tragedy to prevent future disasters.
Shanxi province, which produces nearly a third of China’s coal, has a history of severe mining accidents despite improved safety standards since the early 2000s. The Liushenyu blast underscores persistent risks from gas explosions and carbon monoxide leaks.
