According to reports, a coal mine explosion occurred at the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan county, Shanxi province, China, late on Friday (22 May) at approximately 1929 hours (local time).

Around 247 workers were underground when the incident occurred. Rescue teams managed to safely evacuate more than 150 miners, while at least 82 fatalities have been confirmed and nine miners remain missing as of Saturday (23 May). The details are as follows:

• Rescue operations are ongoing; however, officials indicated that elevated carbon monoxide levels, smoke, and unstable underground conditions are complicating search and recovery efforts.
• China’s Ministry of Emergency Management has deployed 345 personnel from six rescue teams to support ongoing operations at the mine site.
• Chinese President Xi Jinping directed authorities to continue rescue operations, provide treatment to injured workers, and conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident. Premier Li Qiang also called for strengthened mine safety measures and accountability if negligence or operational safety violations are identified.
• Several officials and company executives associated with the mining operation have reportedly been detained for questioning during the investigation process.
• Initial assessments suggest methane gas build-up and ventilation-related issues may have contributed to the incident. Authorities have not yet officially confirmed the exact cause of the explosion.