Changsha: A gas outburst occurred at a coal mine in the city of Lianyuan in central China’s Hunan Province on Friday, leaving seven people missing and one receiving emergency medical treatment, according to local emergency management authorities.
A preliminary investigation found that 52 people were working in the mine at the time of the accident, which occurred at 5:08 a.m. Of these, 44 have safely exited the mine.
Emergency responders and health personnel rushed to the site to carry out rescue operations. The cause of the accident is under further investigation, Xinhua News Agency reported.
In May, a total of 82 people were killed after a coal mine gas explosion in north China’s Shanxi Province.
Officials at the press conference attributed the initial inaccurate figures to chaos at the scene and the company’s failure to provide the accurate headcount of workers on duty.
Toxic and harmful gases under the mine shaft have exceeded safe limits for a long time, posing a risk of secondary disasters.
The company involved in the coal mine explosion was found to have “serious violations of laws.” Those responsible for the company have been placed under control. The company’s coal mines have ceased production for a safety overhaul, said Chen Xiangyang, mayor of Changzhi City, which administers Qinyuan.
Hu Huisong and Yu Zhangqing, both from the Shanxi bureau of the National Mine Safety Administration, were reported to be under investigation by the Shanxi provincial supervisory commission.
Deadly accidents were common in China’s coal mining industry, due to which safety standards have been tightened in recent years, but accidents still occur.
Earlier in 2025, three people were trapped following a coal mine accident in Shaanxi Province. The accident occurred when part of an underground tunnel collapsed in Zhenping County, in the city of Ankang. Eight workers were carrying out rectification work at the site when the collapse happened, with five of them managing to escape safely.
