At least 90 people have been confirmed dead and many others are missing following a gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China. The blast occurred at the Liushenyu coal mine in Changzhi, Shanxi province, at around 7 p.m. on Friday, when more than 240 workers were underground.
Rescue Efforts and Investigation
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on authorities to 'spare no effort' in rescuing survivors and treating the injured. The cause of the explosion in Qinyuan county is under investigation, according to state-owned Xinhua news agency. As part of the probe, executives from the Shanxi Tongzhou Group, which manages the facility, have been arrested.
Background on Mine Safety
Coal mine explosions in China are often caused by flooding, though regulations introduced since 2000 have reduced fatalities. This latest incident is one of the deadliest in recent years. Premier Li Qiang has called for information to be released in a 'timely and accurate manner.'
The tragedy has drawn attention to ongoing safety concerns in China's mining industry, which has seen significant improvements but still faces challenges in remote areas.
