At least 82 people have died and two remain missing after a coal mine explosion in northern China. Officials confirmed the grim toll late on Saturday. The incident occurred at the Liushenyu Coal Mine in Shanxi province. This gas explosion is the worst mining disaster in China since 2009.
More than 247 workers were on duty when the blast struck Friday evening. Over 100 workers were rescued. Hundreds of emergency responders rushed to the scene. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for full efforts to help the injured and find survivors. The state council pledged a rigorous investigation. Those found responsible will face severe punishment. Officials apologized for initial confusion over the death toll. The situation was chaotic, leading to an unclear headcount.
In total, 128 people are receiving hospital treatment. Two of those are in critical condition. Most victims suffered from inhaling poisonous gas. State media did not specify the type of gas. By Sunday morning, rescue teams deployed robots underground. These robots used gas sensors and infrared cameras. They gathered data and looked for signs of life in unreachable areas. Local authorities ordered immediate safety checks on all coal mines in Shanxi province. Production has stopped at all four mines operated by the company in charge of Liushenyu Mine.
Wang Yong, an injured miner, described the event. He heard no initial sound but saw a sudden cloud of smoke. "I smelled sulphur, the same smell you get from blasting," he told state media. "I shouted at people to run. As we were running I could see people collapsing from the fumes. Then I blacked out too." He later regained consciousness and escaped with another miner.
Some mine management members have reportedly been detained. The exact cause of the explosion is under investigation. State media reported high levels of carbon monoxide detected. Carbon monoxide is a deadly, odorless gas. China's Ministry of Emergency Management sent 345 personnel to assist. Rescue operations faced difficulties. Water had built up near the blast site, blocking access. Mine blueprints did not match the actual underground layout.
Records show the Liushenyu mine was flagged for severe safety hazards in 2024. Tongzhou Group, the mine's operator, received two safety penalties in 2025. Shanxi province produces over a quarter of China's coal. This disaster echoes the unsafe practices of China's past coal industry. In the early 2000s, deadly mine accidents were common. Safety standards have improved in recent years. A crackdown on illegal mines has also occurred. However, accidents persist. Last year, a mine collapse in Inner Mongolia killed 53 people. In 2009, a mine explosion in Heilongjiang killed over 100.
China is the world's largest coal consumer. It is also a major emitter of greenhouse gases. This incident follows recent high-level visits to the country. US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin visited China recently.