At Least 90 Killed in China Coal Mine Explosion

At least 90 people have died following a massive gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China, according to state media reports.

The blast occurred on Friday evening at the Liushenyu Coal Mine in Shanxi province and is being described as China’s deadliest mining disaster since 2009.

Officials said 247 workers were on duty when the explosion happened at about 19:29 local time. More than 100 miners were reportedly rescued, while hundreds of emergency personnel were deployed to the site.

Xi Jinping called for every possible effort to be made to treat the injured and continue the search for survivors.

China’s State Council later announced that a “rigorous” investigation would be launched and warned that anyone found responsible for the disaster would face severe punishment.

Authorities said 27 people remain in hospital, including one in critical condition. Most survivors are believed to have suffered from inhaling toxic gas, although officials have not confirmed the exact substance involved.

One injured miner, Wang Yong, told state media he saw smoke suddenly spread through the tunnel moments after the explosion.

“I smelled sulphur, the same smell you get from blasting,” he said. “I shouted at people to run. As we were running I could see people collapsing from the fumes. Then I blacked out too.”

He added that he regained consciousness about an hour later and escaped with another worker.

State media reported that several members of the mine’s management team have been detained as investigations continue into the cause of the explosion.

Officials said dangerous levels of carbon monoxide — a highly toxic and odourless gas — had been detected inside the mine after the incident.

China’s Ministry of Emergency Management has dispatched 345 rescuers from six specialist teams to assist with recovery operations.

Rescue efforts have reportedly been complicated by flooding near the blast area, making some sections inaccessible. Authorities also said mine blueprints provided to rescue teams did not accurately reflect the underground conditions, creating further challenges during the operation.