Post by : Shakul

Chinese authorities have revised the death toll from the devastating gas explosion at the Liushenyu Coal Mine to 82 people, lowering the earlier reported figure of 90 deaths. Officials said confusion and incomplete worker records during the chaotic rescue operation led to the inaccurate initial count.

The explosion took place late Friday night at the coal mine located in Shanxi province, one of China’s largest coal-producing regions. According to local authorities, 247 miners were working underground when the blast occurred. Rescue teams immediately launched large-scale emergency operations to search for survivors and evacuate trapped workers.

Officials confirmed that two workers remain missing while 128 injured miners are currently receiving treatment in hospitals. Another 35 workers escaped the disaster without injuries. Emergency crews, medical personnel and rescue specialists continue to work around the clock at the accident site as investigations into the cause of the explosion intensify.

The Liushenyu mine is operated by Shanxi Tongzhou Coal Coking Group. Following the disaster, authorities ordered the shutdown of all four mines operated by the company and detained several executives as part of the ongoing investigation. Local officials stated that the company failed to provide a clear and accurate count of workers immediately after the explosion, contributing to confusion over casualty figures.

Despite the revised death toll, the tragedy remains China’s deadliest mining disaster since 2009, when a gas explosion at the Xinxing coal mine in Heilongjiang province killed 108 people. The latest accident has once again raised serious concerns about industrial safety standards and workplace conditions in China’s massive coal sector.

Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered authorities to spare no effort in rescue operations and medical treatment for the injured. He also demanded a full investigation into the incident and strict accountability for those responsible. State media reported that the government is now reviewing mining safety regulations nationwide to prevent similar disasters in the future.

An editorial published by the state-run People’s Daily urged industries and local governments to prioritize worker safety over economic growth. The article warned against sacrificing safety standards in pursuit of increased coal production and called for stronger enforcement measures across the mining sector.

China remains the world’s largest producer and consumer of coal, mining nearly 4.83 billion tons last year alone. Experts say the Shanxi disaster highlights the ongoing risks faced by miners despite years of reforms and tighter safety regulations introduced after previous deadly accidents.

#China #World News #coal mine #explosion