At least 90 people have died following a gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China, marking the country’s most fatal mining incident in more than 15 years.
The explosion occurred late Friday, May 22, 2026 at the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan County, located in Shanxi province, China’s key coal-producing region. According to state media, 247 workers were underground at the time of the blast.
The mine is operated by Shanxi Tongzhou Group Liushenyu Coal Industry, a subsidiary of a larger regional coal company. Authorities have confirmed that rescue operations are still ongoing, while the exact cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has instructed emergency teams to prioritize saving lives and treating the injured, while also demanding a full investigation and accountability for those responsible. Premier Li Qiang emphasized the need for transparency and timely public updates.
Local officials have deployed hundreds of rescue and medical personnel to the scene. Meanwhile, executives linked to the mining operation have reportedly been detained as part of the ongoing probe.
Although China has improved mine safety standards over the years, accidents often linked to gas explosions or flooding still occur, especially in major coal hubs like Shanxi.
This tragedy is the deadliest mining disaster in China since 2009, when a similar incident claimed over 100 lives.
