Shanxi Coal Mine Explosion Kills 82; Xi Orders Investigation

A catastrophic gas explosion at the Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi Province has killed at least 82 people and left two missing, in one of China’s deadliest mining disasters in over a decade. President Xi Jinping has ordered an immediate investigation as rescue operations continue.

The explosion occurred at 19:29 local time on May 22 at the Liushenyu coal mine, operated by Shanxi Tongzhou Group in Qinyuan County, Changzhi City. According to Xinhua News Agency, 247 workers were underground at the time of the blast. By the evening of May 23, officials confirmed 82 deaths, 2 missing, and 128 injured, with 124 suffering light injuries, 2 severe, and 2 critical.

The Casualty Reporting Discrepancy

Initial reports from Chinese state media on the morning of May 23 cited just 8 fatalities with 38 missing — figures that diverged sharply from international media reports. Belgian broadcaster VRT NWS reported at least 90 dead, citing Chinese state media sources. By 14:04 on May 23, CCTV had reported 90 fatalities before the official figure of 82 was confirmed at the evening press conference.

At a press conference on the evening of May 23, Changzhi Mayor Chen Xiangyang explained the discrepancy, stating that the scene was chaotic in the immediate aftermath and that the company had failed to accurately account for the number of workers on duty. “We feel extremely heartbroken and deeply guilty over this,” Chen said, bowing in apology to victims’ families, as reported by the Global Times.

Rescue Operations and Investigation

A massive rescue operation was launched involving 335 professional rescue personnel and 420 medical workers — 755 in total — along with 345 personnel from six national mine rescue teams. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing was dispatched to the scene to coordinate efforts.

Rescue workers faced extreme challenges. The mine is classified as a high-gas mine, and toxic gases remained at dangerous levels. According to Guancha (Observer), the mine’s provided maps did not match actual underground conditions, forcing rescuers to search tunnel by tunnel. Some workers had not carried personal locator cards, and flooding in the tunnels required the deployment of pumps, waterproof suits, and inflatable boats.

The explosion occurred 300 meters underground, with three possible tunnel locations for missing workers, each approximately one kilometer long. Rescue teams spent over 10 hours underground searching for survivors.

President Xi Jinping issued instructions demanding “all-out rescue” efforts and a thorough investigation. Premier Li Qiang also called for the timely and accurate release of information. The State Council has launched a formal investigation, pledging to “thoroughly and rigorously” examine the cause. Officials at the press conference confirmed that the company’s actual controllers and executives have been detained, and preliminary assessments indicate the company is suspected of “major legal violations.”

Mining Safety Concerns

The Liushenyu coal mine had a documented history of safety violations. According to China News Service, the mine was fined twice in 2025: ¥30,000 in June for workers not wearing reflective clothing during night shifts, and ¥20,000 in December for non-functional emergency stop cables and inadequate roof support.

The mine was also listed among 1,128 mines cited for “severe safety hazards” by the National Mine Safety Administration in 2024. All four Tongzhou Group mines in Qinyuan County were classified as high-gas mines on that list.

China’s mining safety record has improved significantly since the early 2000s, when deadly accidents were common. However, major disasters still occur. The most recent prior disaster was the February 2023 Alxa Left Banner open-pit coal mine collapse, which killed 53 people. The Liushenyu explosion is the deadliest mining accident in China since that event.

Survivor Accounts and Medical Response

Injured miners described the terrifying moments of the explosion. Wang Yong, speaking to CCTV, said: “At the time I was at the 311 working face, I didn’t hear any sound — just a cloud of smoke. I smelled a sulfur smell like gunpowder. I told people to run.” Another miner, Su Wenqing, told Xinhua: “I felt the air flash twice with a buzzing sound, then I couldn’t hear anything.”

The injured were taken to four hospitals at the county and city level, with plans to transfer all to tertiary hospitals. National health authorities dispatched experts from Beijing’s top hospitals, including Peking Union Medical College Hospital and Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, for remote consultations and on-site support.

International Reactions

World leaders have expressed condolences. According to Anadolu Agency, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif all conveyed their sympathies. Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te also expressed sorrow and offered humanitarian assistance.

What’s Next

The State Council investigation team has pledged a rigorous inquiry, vowing to examine the company’s legal violations, regulatory oversight, and management failures. All four Tongzhou Group mines in the region have been ordered to suspend operations. The disaster is likely to reignite debates about mining safety regulations in China and the adequacy of penalties for safety violations, particularly given the mine’s prior fines of just ¥50,000 combined for serious infractions.

As rescue operations continue for the two remaining missing workers, the focus will shift to accountability and whether this tragedy prompts meaningful reform in China’s coal mining industry.