At least 82 people have been killed in a gas explosion at the Liushenyu Coal Mine in China’s Shanxi province, making it the country’s worst mining disaster since 2009.
At Least 82 Killed in Chinese Coal Mine Explosion
At least 82 people have been killed and two remain missing after a gas explosion at the Liushenyu Coal Mine in China’s Shanxi province, officials have confirmed.
The blast occurred at 19:29 local time on Friday, with 247 workers reportedly on duty at the time. More than 100 people were rescued, while 128 are being treated in hospital, including two in critical condition. Most were affected after inhaling poisonous gas.
Injured miner Wang Yong described the terrifying ordeal to state media. “I smelled sulphur, the same smell you get from blasting. I shouted at people to run. As we were running I could see people collapsing from the fumes. Then I blacked out too,” he said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered that no effort be spared in treating the injured and searching for survivors. The state council promised a “rigorous” investigation, warning those found responsible would be “severely punished.”
The Liushenyu mine was flagged as a “severe safety hazard” in 2024 and received two administrative penalties in 2025 for safety violations.
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