Liushenyu Coal Mine Gas Explosion (2026)

The Liushenyu Coal Mine gas explosion (2026) occurred on 22 May 2026 at the Liushenyu Coal Mine in Qinyuan County of Changzhi City, Shanxi Province in northern China. At least 82 workers lost their lives in the explosion.

At the time of the explosion, 247 workers were underground. The incident was determined to be gas-related; according to Xinhua News Agency, carbon monoxide levels inside the mine exceeded permitted limits. Initial reports stated that eight people had died and 38 were trapped. As rescue operations progressed, the death toll rose to 82. By 06:00 local time on the morning of 23 May, at least 201 workers had been evacuated. During ongoing rescue efforts, nine people were reported missing, with authorities indicating that the death toll could rise further.

Emergency response teams were dispatched to the site immediately after the explosion. The Ministry of Emergency Management of China deployed 345 personnel across six rescue teams. The Qinyuan County Emergency Management Bureau announced that a rescue team of 400 to 500 personnel was operating underground. Provincial authorities arrived at the scene, and footage broadcast by state media showed numerous rescue and medical personnel on site. It was also reported that mine managers had been taken into custody.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a statement following the incident, called for full mobilization of search and rescue efforts and prioritized the treatment of the injured. He also ordered a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the explosion and legal action against those responsible. He emphasized that local administrations and relevant institutions must learn from the incident, enhance workplace safety measures, and identify and eliminate risks to prevent similar accidents.

Shanxi Province holds a central position in China’s coal production. In 2025, approximately 1.3 billion tons of coal were produced in the province, which has a population of about 34 million. This volume accounts for roughly one third of China’s total coal output. Shanxi remains the largest producing province, contributing more than a quarter of the nation’s coal production.

An investigation has been launched into the exact cause of the explosion. Xinhua announced that an official inquiry had begun following the incident. While it was reported that mine managers had been taken into custody, the technical factors behind the explosion and its detailed circumstances have not yet been disclosed to the public by authorities.