A carbon monoxide gas leak and explosion occurred at a Chinese coal mine, with the death toll now at 8, and 38 miners still trapped underground. Authorities have been conducting rescue operations throughout the night.
China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency reported on Saturday, 23 May, that the toxic gas leak happened on Friday night at the Liu Shen Yu coal mine in Shanxi Province, a key center of China’s coal mining industry, followed by a secondary explosion.
Earlier Chinese media reported that at the time of the incident, 247 miners were underground. Authorities managed to rescue 157, but among them, 4 had died. Another 90 miners remain trapped inside the mine, with at least 16 in critical condition.
The Chinese authorities continue their rescue operations. The death toll has risen to 8, with 38 miners still trapped inside. The carbon monoxide levels inside the mine remain dangerously above safety standards; carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, highly toxic gas.
Although China has improved mine safety measures over recent decades, coal mine accidents still occur frequently, especially in areas criticized for lax enforcement of safety regulations.
China is the world’s largest coal consumer and also the largest greenhouse gas emitter, despite the government’s increased investments in renewable energy in recent years aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
Click to read related news aboutInternational News