Shanxi Gas Blast Kills 82 In Deadliest China Coal Mine Disaster In Recent Years, Xi Jinping Orders ‘Thorough Investigation’

Changzhi: A powerful gas explosion at the Liushenyu coal mine in Changzhi city, located in northern Shanxi province, killed at least 82 people. The local officials confirmed the deadly incident on Saturday, which was China’s deadliest mining disaster in recent years. The blast occurred on Friday evening, triggering a large-scale rescue operation that stretched into the weekend. According to the local media reports, confusion over casualty figures emerged in the hours after the accident, with state broadcaster CCTV initially reporting 90 deaths before the administration revised the toll down. The Chinese officials stated that the early numbers were provisional, given…