82 killed in China after worst mining disaster in 17 years
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• Gas blast traps 247 workers underground in Shanxi
• President Xi orders ‘all-out efforts’ after tragedy
• Pakistan’s leadership conveys condolences
BEIJING: A gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China has killed at least 82 people, state media reported on Saturday, the country’s biggest mining disaster in 17 years.
A total of 247 workers were underground at the time the blast occurred at the Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi province, according to state news agency Xinhua.
At least 82 people had died and 123 others were sent to the hospital for treatment, four of whom were in critical or severe condition, state broadcaster CCTV said.
Of those sent for treatment, 33 had returned home on Saturday, it added.
A total of 755 emergency and medical personnel were dispatched to the site, with rescue efforts still ongoing Saturday afternoon. Survivor and injured miner Wang Yong told CCTV there was a “puff of smoke” and he smelt sulphur.
He recalled seeing people choked by the smoke before he fainted.
“I lay down for about an hour and woke up by myself. I called the people next to me and got out of the mine together,” Wang said.
Helmeted rescuers were carrying stretchers at the site, with ambulances visible in the background, video by CCTV showed.
President Xi Jinping urged “all-out efforts” to treat the injured and called for thorough investigations into the incident.
The mine is operated by Shanxi Tongzhou Group Liushenyu Coal Industry, which was established in 2010 and is controlled by Shanxi Tongzhou Coal Coking Group, according to corporate database Qichacha.
China’s government launched an “uncompromising” investigation into the explosion, vowing to punish those responsible severely, and ordered a nationwide crackdown on illegal mining activities, Xinhua said on Saturday evening.
“The State Council’s accident investigation team will conduct a rigorous and uncompromising investigation,” Xinhua said.
“Those found responsible will be severely punished in accordance with laws and regulations.”
“All regions and relevant authorities are required to... launch tough crackdowns on illegal and unlawful activities”, including the falsification of safety data, unclear headcounts of underground workers and illegal contracting, it added.
Executives of the company responsible for the mine have been detained, Xinhua reported.
Pakistan’s leadership expressed condolences and solidarity with China after the disaster.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed “profound grief and sorrow” over the explosion and extended condolences to Chinese President Xi Jinping, the bereaved families and the people of China.
Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2026
