According to state media, the incident was recorded as the country’s deadliest mining disaster in more than a decade. The explosion occurred approximately 300 meters underground, while around 250 workers were reportedly inside the mine at the time of the incident. So far, 201 workers have been evacuated, while 123 people were hospitalized for treatment. Rescue operations are reportedly still ongoing.
Authorities stated that the mine site was filled with water and debris following the explosion. They also emphasized that underground maps provided by the operating company did not match the actual conditions, making search efforts more difficult. It was further reported that some workers were not carrying mandatory GPS tracking devices.
Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident and instructed that those responsible be held accountable. Initial findings indicate that the company operating the mine may have committed serious safety violations.
Although mining safety measures have increased in China in recent years, fatal accidents continue to occur in the coal mining sector. Shanxi province remains one of the country’s largest coal production centers.
Source: Xinhua
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