At least 80 miners have been killed in a gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China’s Shanxi province, in the country’s deadliest mining accident in more than 16 years.

The blast struck the Liushenyu coal mine near Changzhi on Friday evening, when some 247 workers were underground. A powerful build‑up of gas ripped through the tunnels, leaving dozens dead at the scene and trapping others deep below ground. Officials said at least 82 people had been confirmed dead, with two still unaccounted for and 128 miners receiving hospital treatment. 

Many survivors suffered inhalation injuries from toxic gases, including carbon monoxide, which state media said was found at levels above legal safety limits.

President Xi Jinping has ordered an “all‑out” rescue effort and a thorough investigation into the cause, with a State Council team dispatched to the site. Local authorities said those responsible at the mine’s operating company, Shanxi Tongzhou Coal & Coke Group, have been “placed under control” pending the probe.

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The explosion has drawn renewed attention to safety in an industry that has seen major improvements but still faces persistent risks. 

The Liushenyu mine, which has an annual production capacity of around 1.2 million tonnes, was previously flagged by China’s National Mine Safety Administration for “high gas content” and listed as disaster‑prone in 2024. State media reported that the same operator received administrative penalties last year over safety violations.

In the wake of the accident, Shanxi authorities ordered immediate safety inspections at coal mines across the province and suspended production at all four mines run by the company. 

Hundreds of specialised rescue workers and medical teams have been deployed, though efforts have been hampered by water build‑up underground and outdated mine blueprints that do not fully match actual conditions.