At least 82 people have died in a gas explosion at a coal mine in China’s Shanxi province, according to reports from Chinese state media on Saturday. Rescue efforts are still ongoing, and it is unclear how many individuals remain trapped underground.
The disaster took place on Friday evening in a mine located in the Qinyuan district. By Saturday morning, authorities reported that 201 people had been successfully evacuated. The cause of the explosion is currently under investigation.
Shanxi is a major hub of China’s coal industry, which has a reputation for poor safety standards. This region has a history of severe accidents resulting in numerous fatalities. In response to the tragedy, Chinese national leader Xi Jinping called for a “comprehensive rescue operation” for the missing miners and a “thorough investigation” into the incident’s cause.
