104 Die in China Coal Mine Blast; 4 Remain Trapped

Nov. 23, 2009
More than 100 people died in a Nov. 21 coal mine explosion in China’s Heilongjiang province. Another four people are trapped in the mine shaft and are feared dead.

The blast occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Nov. 21. According to China’s Xinhua News Agency, 528 miners were working underground at the Xinxing Coal Mine at the time of the explosion.

Xinhua News Agency reported that a mine safety worker noted a “sudden rise” in gas levels shortly before the blast. Hundreds of miners escaped the explosion, officials said, but at least 104 were killed. More than 2 dozen miners have been hospitalized, some with serious injuries.

The Associated Press reported that officials said the mine was overcrowded with too many workers at the time of the accident “in an effort to increase output.”

Xinhua also reported that in the wake of the explosion, Heilongjiang Governor Li Zhanshu said, “Development is the top priority, but gross domestic product cannot be traded with the lives and blood of employees.”

Heilongjiang Longmei Mining Holding Group owns and operates the Xinxing mine. The mine produces 12 million tons of coal a year.

Sponsored Recommendations

3 Essential Elements for a Strong Safety Culture

March 13, 2024
Organizations globally have increased their attention on safety culture: trying to figure out what it really is and the aspects that are necessary to develop and sustain it. And...

Making the Case for Occupational Health Software

March 13, 2024
Deciding to invest in Occupational Health (OH) software can be a challenging leap for many organizations. This article will equip businesses with insightful strategies for effectively...

Fighting the Flu: Solutions for the Workplace

March 13, 2024
Seasonal flu continues to wreak considerable havoc both on individual wellness, as well as on our business continuity and productivity. Explore these solutions for protecting ...

Preventing SIFs with Digitization: Reduce Serious Injuries and Fatalities with Technology

March 13, 2024
This eBook discusses the origins of SIF prevention, outlines principles, models and tools available to EHS leaders to better detect and address SIF potential in their business...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!