China: Mine death toll rises to 90 after gas blast

5 hours ago

A gas explosion at the Liushenyu coalmine in Shanxi province killed at least 90 people, making it China's deadliest mining disaster since 2009.
The explosion occurred on Friday with 247 workers underground; a carbon monoxide sensor triggered the initial alert, and survivors reported seeing smoke and smelling sulfur.
Rescue efforts involved 755 personnel; 123 people were hospitalized, with 4 in critical condition, and 33 had returned home by Saturday afternoon.
President Xi Jinping called for full rescue efforts, treatment of the injured, and an investigation, emphasizing the need to prevent major accidents.
Premier Li Qiang echoed instructions for information transparency and accountability; authorities have placed at least one responsible person under control.
The Liushenyu mine had previously been cited in 2024 for 'severe safety hazards' due to high gas levels, with regulators urging disaster management measures.
China has reduced coal mine fatalities through stricter regulations since the 2000s, but major accidents still occur, including a 2023 collapse in Inner Mongolia that killed 53.
Shanxi province, a key coalmining center producing nearly a third of China's raw coal, is one of the country's poorer regions.

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