Gas explosion at Shanxi coal mine leaves 90 dead; toxic gas inhalation cited as main cause

Central News Agency, Taipei, May 23. A gas explosion occurred last night at the Liushenyu Coal Mine in Qinyuan County, Shanxi Province, China. As of 2:00 PM today, 90 deaths have been confirmed, and 123 people have been sent to hospitals for treatment. According to survivors, the primary reason for the heavy casualties was the inhalation of toxic gases following the explosion. Reports from CCTV and The Beijing News indicate that the explosion occurred at 7:29 PM on the 22nd, with 247 people working underground at the time. A miner responsible for coal transport stated that the mine operates on a three-shift system, and it was the time for the middle shift to enter the mine. Public records show that the Liushenyu Coal Mine is a high-gas mine and was listed by China's National Mine Safety Administration in 2024 as a 'nationwide disaster-prone coal mine.' A survivor stated that they were working in Shaft No. 1, and out of more than 20 people in two shifts, only four escaped. The explosion knocked them unconscious, and upon waking, they could see nothing in the mine, eventually feeling their way out through the tunnels. After escaping, someone shouted to save others, adding that those inside could not get out. Injured miner Wang Yong said in an interview at the hospital that he did not hear any sound, but saw smoke and smelled sulfur. He called for people to run, and while running, he saw people choked by smoke and then lost consciousness himself. He woke up after about an hour, woke the person next to him, and they escaped together. A rescue worker said he joined the rescue efforts after his morning shift, noting that the mine was filled with toxic gas from the explosion and rescue required self-rescue equipment. Reports state that the injured are receiving treatment, with doctors focusing on high-pressure oxygen therapy to prevent delayed brain damage caused by toxic gas. Dong Zhen, a safety engineer at an Anhui mining company, pointed out that gas explosions cause a sharp rise in carbon monoxide levels. Carbon monoxide is flammable and can trigger secondary explosions; even without a secondary explosion, its high affinity for hemoglobin means miners can lose consciousness and suffocate after just 3-5 breaths, leaving no time to put on self-rescue gear. As of 2:00 PM on the 23rd, 90 people have died and 123 are hospitalized. Xinhua News Agency reported that 9 people remain trapped.