Chinese Mining Disaster Leaves 19 Workers Dead, One Survivor
Shenzhen Times – An underground collapse in eastern China has left 19 miners dead and one miner alive, according to state media. The incident, which happened on Oct. 20, trapped 22 workers inside a tunnel that pinched shut at both ends.
What Went Wrong?
- Heavy pressure on the rock walls caused fractures that triggered a sudden burst of coal.
- Both ends of the tunnel were suddenly blocked, cutting off any exit routes.
- Rescue teams struggled to clear the blockage, finding the first six bodies Sunday.
Only One Survived
The lone miner was rescued early Monday after a painstaking effort to free the obstructed passage. Sadly, two other workers remain missing as of Monday morning.
The Mine and Its Owner
The tragedy struck a mine owned by Longyun Coal Mining Co. Ltd. in Yuncheng County, Shandong Province. Coal mining in China has a notoriously slippery record when it comes to safety.
Recounting the Past
- December 2016: Explosions in Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang claimed at least 59 lives.
- October 2016: A chlorism forced by a sharp blast killed 33 miners in Chongqing.
- September 2016: A northwestern blast in Ningxia took at least 18 lives.
Did Things Improve?
China’s National Coal Mine Safety Administration reported a 28.7% drop in mining deaths in 2017, falling from 375 fatalities in the previous year. For all the good statistics, the bureau warned that the overall safety situation was still “grim.”
As folks grieve for the victims, the rescue crews and safety officials remain on high alert—once again reminding everyone that nothing is truly safe down there.
