A deadly gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China has killed at least 90 people, with rescue operations still under way and authorities launching a nationwide crackdown on illegal mining activities after the country’s worst mining disaster in 17 years, AFP reported.The blast took place on Friday evening at the Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi province, China’s main coal-producing region. State media said 247 workers were underground at the time of the explosion, while more than 120 others were hospitalised for treatment.What happened at mineA gas explosion ripped through the Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi province on Friday evening, killing at least 90 people.State media said 247 workers were underground when the blast occurred at around 7.29 pm local time.Authorities initially reported four deaths, but the toll rose sharply overnight as rescue teams reached more parts of the mine.Rescue operations continueState broadcaster CCTV said 123 injured workers were sent to hospital, with four reported to be in critical or serious condition.As of Saturday afternoon, 33 workers had been discharged after treatment, according to state media reports.A total of 755 emergency and medical personnel were deployed as rescue operations continued at the site.Survivor recalls blastInjured miner Wang Yong told CCTV there was a “puff of smoke” before he smelled sulphur inside the mine.He said several workers were choked by smoke before he lost consciousness during the incident.“I lay down for about an hour and woke up by myself. I called the people next to me and got out of the mine together,” Wang said.China orders crackdown, probeChinese authorities launched what state media described as an “uncompromising” investigation into the explosion and vowed to “severely” punish those found responsible.President Xi Jinping called for “all-out efforts” to treat the injured and ordered thorough investigations into the incident.State media also said authorities had ordered a nationwide crackdown on illegal mining practices, including falsified safety data, unclear underground worker counts and illegal contracting activities.
