At least ninety (90) people have died following a gas explosion at a coal mine in Shanxi province, Chinese state media has reported.
The blast occurred late on Friday night at the Liushenyu coal mine near Changzhi City, according to Xinhua news agency.
Around 247 workers were underground at the time, and by Saturday afternoon, nine people were still reported to be trapped.
Xinhua said carbon monoxide levels had exceeded safe limits at the site.
Rescue teams are working to reach those still below ground, while the cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
State broadcaster CCTV reported that many of the injured had been affected by toxic gas.
The mine entrance has a steep slope of about 30 degrees, meaning all rescue equipment and supplies can only be transported in and out by mine cars, complicating the operation.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged authorities to "spare no effort" in treating the injured and in search and rescue work.
Jinping also called for a thorough investigation and strict accountability in line with the law.
In addition, executives of the mine’s operating company have been reportedly detained.
Reports insisted that the Liushenyu mine, run by Shanxi Tongzhou Coal & Coke Group, was listed in 2024 by China’s National Mine Safety Administration as a disaster-prone site due to its high gas content.
Shanxi is China’s largest coal-producing province and Liushenyu coal mine has an annual production capacity of 1.2 million tonnes.
In 2025, its mines produced 1.17 billion tonnes of coal, accounting for almost a third of the country’s total output.
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