BEIJING — A gas explosion at a coal mine in China's northern Shanxi province killed at least 90 people, state media reported on Saturday, May 23, 2026. The incident occurred at the Dongfeng Coal Mine in the city of Datong, according to initial reports from Xinhua News Agency.
Rescue operations were underway, but officials stated that the chance of finding survivors was slim due to the severity of the blast. The mine is operated by the Datong Coal Mine Group, a state-owned enterprise.
This is one of the deadliest mining accidents in China in recent years. The government has ordered a full investigation into the cause of the explosion, which is believed to have been triggered by a buildup of methane gas.
China has a history of deadly coal mine accidents, though safety records have improved in the past decade. The Shanxi province is a major coal-producing region, accounting for about a quarter of the country's total output.
