At least 82 killed in gas explosion at coal mine in China

At least 82 people were killed and more than 120 others were hospitalized after a gas explosion occurred at the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan County, Shanxi province, China, late Friday. Two individuals remain missing. Local officials have initiated an investigation and reported serious violations by the mine's operator, Shanxi Tongzhou Coal & Coke Group. The explosion has prompted increased safety inspections across China's coal sector, affecting the supply outlook for coking coal and leading to price increases. The National Mine Safety Administration had previously classified the mine as disaster-prone due to its high gas content. Reports indicate that the mine's blueprints did not match the actual layout, complicating rescue efforts. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for a comprehensive rescue operation and a thorough investigation into the incident. Company officials linked to the disaster have reportedly been placed under control. China has experienced several deadly mining disasters in recent years, despite ongoing efforts to enhance oversight.