China Cuts Shanxi Mine Blast Death Toll to 82, Still Deadliest Since 2009
Updated
Updated · Reuters · May 24
China Cuts Shanxi Mine Blast Death Toll to 82, Still Deadliest Since 2009
8 articles · Updated · Reuters · May 24
82 people were confirmed dead after a gas explosion at the Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi, down from an initial state-media report of at least 90.
Local officials said the earlier toll was miscounted because the scene was chaotic and the company lacked a clear tally of workers underground after Friday's blast.
247 miners were on duty at the time; 128 were hospitalized, 35 were uninjured and two remained missing.
Authorities shut all four mines owned by Shanxi Tongzhou Coal Coking Group and detained company executives, while Xi Jinping ordered an investigation and full rescue efforts.
Even after the revision, the accident is China's deadliest mining disaster since a 2009 Heilongjiang gas explosion killed 108, renewing scrutiny of mine safety.
With a history of safety violations, what allowed China's deadliest mine disaster in years to happen?
How will this disaster impact China's coal prices as it pushes for record output to ensure energy security?