China coal mine explosion claims lives of nearly 100, with many still unaccounted for

A devastating gas explosion struck the Liushenyu coal mine in northern China's Shanxi province on May 23, 2026, prompting a massive rescue effort that involved numerous emergency vehicles and personnel.

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The blast resulted in a significant loss of life, with state media reporting that at least 82 people were killed, making it one of the country's most severe industrial disasters in recent years.

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However, the death toll was later revised upwards, with state media reporting on Saturday that a gas explosion at the coal mine had killed at least 90 people, marking the country's biggest mining disaster in 17 years.

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A total of 247 workers were underground when the explosion occurred at 7:29 pm (1129 GMT) on Friday, according to state news agency Xinhua, with the blast having a profound impact on the mine and its occupants.

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State broadcaster CCTV reported that at least 90 people had died and 123 others were sent to hospital for treatment, with four of those individuals in critical or severe condition, highlighting the severity of the incident.

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Of those sent for treatment, 33 had returned home as of 2:00 pm on Saturday, CCTV added, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy.

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A massive rescue effort was underway, with a total of 755 emergency and medical personnel dispatched to the site, and rescue efforts still ongoing on Saturday afternoon, according to CCTV.

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The explosion was the worst mining disaster in China since 2009, when 108 people were killed in a mine blast in northeast Heilongjiang province, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with the industry.

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Survivor and injured miner Wang Yong told CCTV that he experienced a "puff of smoke" and smelled sulphur, recalling the chaotic and terrifying moments that followed the blast.

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Wang recounted seeing people choked by the smoke before he fainted, and later woke up and managed to escape the mine with the help of others, providing a harrowing account of the incident.

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Helmeted rescuers were seen carrying stretchers at the site, with ambulances visible in the background, in footage shown by CCTV, illustrating the scale of the rescue effort.

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President Xi Jinping urged "all-out efforts" to treat the injured and called for thorough investigations into the incident, according to Xinhua, emphasizing the need for accountability and action.

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Xi also emphasized that all regions and departments must draw lessons from the accident and remain vigilant regarding workplace safety, while also taking steps to prevent and curb major accidents, Xinhua reported.

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A person "responsible for" the company involved in the explosion has been "placed under control in accordance with the law", Xinhua said, indicating that authorities are taking steps to hold those responsible accountable.

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Initially, state media reported four deaths and dozens trapped after levels of carbon monoxide in the mine were found to have "exceeded limits", but the death toll subsequently jumped sharply as the morning wore on.

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Shanxi, one of China's poorer provinces, is a major coal-mining hub, and the incident has highlighted concerns about lax safety protocols and vague regulations in the industry.

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Mine safety in China has improved in recent decades, but accidents still occur, as evidenced by a 2023 collapse at an open-pit coal mine in the northern Inner Mongolia region that killed 53 people.

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China is the world's top consumer of coal and the largest greenhouse gas emitter, despite making significant strides in installing renewable energy capacity at record speed, underscoring the complexities and challenges associated with the country's energy landscape.