A gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China killed at least 82 people and left two missing, according to officials, with surveillance footage later showing the moment of the blast. The incident marks the worst mining disaster in China since 2009, according to the BBC. State media reported that carbon monoxide levels in the Liushenyu Coal Mine in Shanxi province were found to have ‘exceeded limits,’ though the cause of the explosion has not yet been revealed.

Footage captures blast inside coal mine

State media aired surveillance footage on Monday showing the moment of the explosion inside the Liushenyu Coal Mine; the video was shared widely as a key piece of evidence in understanding the sequence of events. Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered that no effort be spared in the ongoing search and rescue operation, according to the BBC.

Discrepancies in death toll and regional impact

While the BBC reports at least 82 dead and two missing, CNN’s report citing state media puts the death toll at 90, describing it as the country’s deadliest mining disaster in over a decade. The discrepancy highlights the evolving nature of the information as it emerges from different official sources; the mine is located in Shanxi province, a major coal-producing region in northern China.

Broader safety concerns and political response

The explosion has rekindled concerns about mine safety in China, which has a history of industrial accidents in the sector — State media did not specify the cause of the blast but noted that carbon monoxide levels were found to have exceeded safe limits. President Xi Jinping has called for full efforts in the rescue operation, according to the BBC, as the incident shows the challenges faced by authorities in maintaining safety standards in the energy sector.

Separately, a CNN report also noted a different incident in Chongqing, where heavy rain left at least 17 people missing and three dead, While unrelated to the coal mine explosion, it illustrates the broader challenges of natural disasters and industrial accidents in various parts of China.