News Desk, the-news24.com: Public anger is growing in China after the country’s deadliest coal mining disaster in more than 15 years left at least 82 people dead and more than 120 others injured.
The explosion happened on Friday at the Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi province, one of the most important centres of China’s coal mining industry. The scale of the tragedy has shocked the country and raised serious questions about workplace safety, company accountability and local supervision.
Explosion Kills Dozens at Shanxi Coal Mine
Authorities said the blast at the privately-owned Liushenyu coal mine caused massive casualties, with rescue teams continuing to search for at least two missing workers.
Hundreds of emergency personnel have been deployed to the mine site. Family members of missing workers have gathered near the area, waiting anxiously for updates from rescue officials.
Safety Violations Under Investigation
Initial findings suggest that Tongzhou Group, the company operating the mine, committed what authorities described as “serious illegal violations.” Officials have promised a rigorous investigation and said those responsible will be severely punished.
The company has not yet issued a public statement. China’s state media reported that people running Tongzhou Group have been placed under “control measures,” although the exact meaning of the measure has not been fully explained.
Company Ordered to Halt Mining Operations
Following the disaster, Tongzhou Group was ordered to stop work at all four coal mines it operates in Shanxi province.
Authorities have not yet publicly detailed all the violations discovered at Liushenyu. However, state media reports have pointed to several possible safety failures at the site.
Reports Raise Serious Questions
State media reported that some workers may not have carried mandatory tracking devices into the mine. These devices are essential for locating miners during emergencies.
Reports also claimed that blueprints submitted by the mine to authorities did not match the real conditions underground, making rescue work more difficult after the explosion.
Another serious concern is the number of workers inside the mine at the time of the blast. State media said the actual number of people underground was double the company’s official count.
Public Anger Spreads Online
The disaster has triggered widespread anger on Chinese social media. Many users questioned how such a large-scale tragedy could happen after years of official efforts to improve mine safety.
One Weibo user asked why more than 100 unregistered workers appeared “out of the blue,” questioning whether the company was trying to exceed production limits, reduce costs or hide the real number of workers during an accident.
Another user wrote that the incident exposed weak local supervision and the low cost of violations, allowing companies to repeatedly break safety rules.
Mine Had Previous Safety Warnings
Reports indicate that Tongzhou Group had received two administrative penalties in 2025 for safety violations.
In 2024, the Liushenyu mine was reportedly listed by China’s National Mine Safety Administration among coal mines with “severe hazards.” This has deepened public concern about whether warning signs were ignored before the deadly explosion.
Memories of China’s Deadly Mining Past Return
For many people in China, the tragedy has revived memories of the 2000s, when deadly coal mine accidents were common. During that period, disasters occurred so frequently that many were not widely reported unless the death toll was extremely high.
In recent years, China has worked to improve mine safety by strengthening regulations, bringing in international safety expertise and shutting down illegal or unsafe mining operations.
The Liushenyu disaster has now raised fears that progress in mine safety could be disrupted or reversed.
Calls for Accountability
Hu Xijin, former chief editor of the Global Times, wrote on Weibo that China’s improving coal mine safety record must not be reversed. He said there is still much room for improvement and that closing safety gaps is urgent.
Public anger has largely focused on Tongzhou Group, with many online users demanding justice for the victims and stronger punishment for those responsible.
Families Wait for News
As rescue operations continue, families of missing workers are waiting near the mine for information. One man told AFP that he had not been able to contact his brother since the blast and had not yet dared to tell his parents that he was missing.
He also questioned whether official figures were accurate, saying families still did not know the full truth about how many people remained missing.
Why the Disaster Matters
China remains heavily dependent on coal for energy, and Shanxi province plays a central role in the country’s coal production. This makes mine safety a major national issue affecting workers, families, energy supply and public trust.
The disaster has highlighted the dangers faced by miners and the need for strict enforcement of safety rules, especially in privately-owned mining operations where production pressure can be intense.
Conclusion
The Liushenyu coal mine explosion has become China’s deadliest mining disaster in years, killing at least 82 people and injuring more than 120. As rescue teams continue searching for missing workers, public anger is growing over alleged safety violations, inaccurate worker records and possible failures in supervision.
Authorities have promised a strict investigation and punishment for those responsible. But for many families and citizens, the tragedy has raised a deeper question: how could such a disaster happen again after years of promises to make China’s mines safer?
Reviewed by Admin
on
May 25, 2026
Rating:
