Northern China coal mine explosion kills at least 90

A gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China has killed at least 90 people, state media reported on May 23, the country’s biggest mining disaster in 17 years.

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A total of 247 workers were underground at the time of the blast, which occurred at 7.29pm on May 22 at the Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi province, according to state news agency Xinhua.

At least 90 people had died and 123 others were sent to hospital for treatment, four of whom were in critical or severe condition, state broadcaster CCTV said.

Of those sent for treatment, 33 had returned home as at 2pm on May 23, it added.

A total of 755 emergency and medical staff were dispatched to the site, with rescue efforts still ongoing on the afternoon of May 23, CCTV added.

The May 22 explosion is the worst mining disaster in China since 2009, when 108 people were killed in a mine blast in north-east Heilongjiang province.

Survivor and injured miner Wang Yong told CCTV there was a “puff of smoke” and he smelled sulphur.