Authorities have confirmed that at least 82 people died following a gas explosion at a coal mine in Shanxi province, China, revising earlier reports of 90 fatalities. The accident occurred Friday evening at the Liushenyu coal mine in Changzhi city, according to the state news agency Xinhua.
Casualties and Rescue Efforts
In the latest briefing, officials confirmed 82 deaths, over 120 hospitalized, and two still missing, believed dead. The situation was described as chaotic after the blast, with rescue operations ongoing. Thousands of rescuers and medical personnel were dispatched to assist.
Investigations and Violations
Authorities discovered serious violations in the mine's operations, though full details have not been released. Reports indicate safety protocol breaches, including failure to use mandatory tracking devices for workers and mismatched mining blueprints. State media suggested the number of people inside the mine at the time of the explosion may have been double the official company record, complicating rescue efforts.
Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered immediate rescue operations for the missing and called for a thorough investigation to hold those responsible accountable. This is the worst mining disaster in China in over 15 years.
