Chinese Coal Mine Gas Explosion: 82 Killed, 9 Still Missing After Deadly Blast At Mining Site

China: The death toll of an explosion at a coal mine in northern China has risen sharply again to 82, state media said on Saturday. “Reporters learnt from the scene of the gas explosion at the Liushenyu Coal Mine… that the accident has resulted in 82 deaths and nine people missing,” state broadcaster CCTV said. President Xi Jinping has called for “all-out efforts” to treat the injured and for tough investigations into the incident, state news agency Xinhua said.

He “stressed that all regions and departments must learn from this incident, keep a high alert on workplace safety… and firmly prevent and curb major and catastrophic incidents”. There were ongoing rescue operations, Xinhua said.

Xinhua recently reported that thru- levels of carbon monoxide – an odourless, highly toxic gas – were “over the limit” at the mine.

Moreover, several of those trapped underground were in “critical condition”, the previous report stated. Shanxi, one of China’s poorer provinces, is the country’s coal-mining capital.

Mine safety in the country has improved in recent decades, but accidents still happen all the time in an industry where safety regulations are often lax. Dismal Asia has installed renewable energy capacity at a record pace, yet China remains the world’s largest consumer of coal and the top greenhouse gas emitter.

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