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.

About the Author

Laura Walter

Laura Walter was formerly senior editor of EHS Today. She is a subject matter expert in EHS compliance and government issues and has covered a variety of topics relating to occupational safety and health. Her writing has earned awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), the Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI) and APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. Her debut novel, Body of Stars (Dutton) was published in 2021.

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