Xi Calls for All-Out Rescue After Coal Mine Explosion Kills at Least 90 in China

Chinese President Xi Jinping demanded an immediate rescue mission and investigation after a gas explosion at the Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi Province killed at least 90 workers, the deadliest mining disaster in China in recent years. The explosion occurred Friday night, with initial reports of eight deaths later revised upward as rescue efforts progressed. Xi emphasized the need to treat injured workers, conduct a thorough search, and hold those responsible accountable, according to state news agency Xinhua. The mine, operated by the Shanxi Tongzhou Coal Group, had been listed in 2024 among 1,128 mines cited for severe safety hazards by China’s National Mine Safety Administration, specifically for high gas levels. Authorities confirmed an underground carbon monoxide sensor had triggered an alarm before the explosion, signaling unsafe conditions. Rescue teams, including emergency personnel and workers, were seen on-site Saturday, pulling injured miners from the mine. Xinhua reported that 247 workers were underground during the explosion, with over 200 safely recovered by Saturday morning. The cause of the blast remains under investigation, though the mine’s history of safety violations raises concerns. This disaster follows a fireworks factory explosion in Hunan Province that killed 26 earlier this month, highlighting ongoing industrial safety challenges despite government regulations. China has reduced mining accidents over the past decade, but this incident underscores persistent risks in the coal industry. The National Mine Safety Administration has urged high-risk mines to implement stricter disaster management measures. Xi’s direct involvement signals the severity of the crisis, as officials typically delay public updates until investigations are complete.