A gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China has killed at least 90 people, according to state media, in one of the country’s deadliest mining disasters in more than a decade.
China’s official Xinhua News Agency reported that 247 workers were underground at the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan county, Shanxi province, when the blast occurred on Friday.
Rescue operations were continuing as emergency teams searched for survivors following the explosion.
The incident is believed to have been triggered after a carbon monoxide warning was issued, with some reports indicating that gas levels inside the mine had exceeded safe limits prior to the blast.
State broadcaster CGTN reported that the individual responsible for overseeing operations at the mine has been detained as authorities investigate the cause of the disaster.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for nationwide safety reforms in response to the tragedy, urging officials to learn from the incident and strengthen oversight.
“All regions and departments must learn from the lessons of the accident, remain vigilant regarding workplace safety, thoroughly investigate and rectify all types of risks and hidden dangers, and resolutely prevent and curb the occurrence of major and serious accidents,” Xi said.
Video footage circulating online showed multiple ambulances stationed near the mine as emergency response teams worked at the site.
Shanxi province, where the explosion occurred, is China’s main coal-producing region. It produced more than one billion tonnes of coal last year, accounting for nearly a third of national output.
China is both the world’s largest producer and consumer of coal, responsible for more than half of global coal consumption.
Source: CGTN/ AFP/ Reuters/ Al Jazeera
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
