Explosion Traps 25, Leaves 11 Dead in Chinese Mine
What Happened
In the early evening of June 5th, a truck full of explosives blew up right outside the entrance of a coal mine in northeast China. The blast killed 11 workers, hurt nine others, and left 25 miners stuck underground.
The mine, run by China National Coal Group Co., is located in Liaoning province’s town of Benxi. Some of the trapped miners managed to send a signal to rescuers, according to CCTV.
The Immediate Response
Local officials quickly dispatched a rescue team, and the wounded were rushed to a nearby hospital.
Why This Happens
Mining in China is a risky business. The industry has a bad safety record, and accidents are all too common.
- May 2023: A gas leak at a central Hunan mine killed 18 workers.
- December 2016: Two mines in Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang exploded, killing at least 59.
- October 2016: Chongqing coll. burst, killing 33 miners.
- September 2016: Ningxia mine blast took the lives of at least 18.
- January 2016: Four miners survived after being buried for 36 days in a Shandong gypsum mine.
That January event reminded people of the 2010 Chilean mine rescue, where 33 miners were trapped for 69 days before emerging victorious.
Looking Ahead
As rescue teams dig deeper into the pit, stories like this serve as grim reminders: safety can’t be an afterthought if people’re going to keep risking their lives for a few extra tons of coal.
