A massive gas explosion at the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan County, located in Changzhi City in northern China, has left at least 82 people dead, while two workers are still missing.
According to local authorities, a total of 247 miners were underground when the explosion occurred, triggering one of the deadliest mining disasters in the region in recent years.
Emergency rescue teams were immediately deployed to the site and continue search operations for the missing workers as families wait anxiously for updates.
Officials confirmed that 128 people were injured in the blast and are currently receiving treatment in hospitals. Meanwhile, 35 workers managed to escape safely and returned home without injuries.
Mayor Chen Xiangyang described the incident as a major tragedy and said authorities are focusing on rescue efforts and medical support for survivors.
Videos and images from the area show large emergency response operations near the mine, with rescue vehicles, medical teams, and security personnel surrounding the site.
The cause of the explosion is now under investigation, while officials are also reviewing safety conditions and operational procedures at the coal mine.
Mining accidents remain a serious concern in parts of China despite repeated efforts to improve industrial safety standards.
The disaster has shocked the country and raised fresh questions about worker safety in high-risk mining operations.
