4 Dead, 90 Trapped In China Coal Mine After Carbon Monoxide Levels Rise

Last Updated:May 23, 2026, 05:56 IST

Four workers died and about 90 remain trapped after a carbon monoxide accident at the Liushenyu coal mine in Changzhi, Shanxi, as rescue and investigation efforts continue.

At least four workers have died and around 90 others remain trapped underground after a coal mine accident in northern China, with elevated carbon monoxide levels believed to be the cause, according to Chinese state media.

The incident occurred late Friday at the Liushenyu coal mine in Changzhi city in Shanxi province, one of China’s major coal-producing regions.

Authorities said a total of 247 workers were underground when the accident happened. By early Saturday, 157 miners had been brought to the surface, including four who were confirmed dead. Rescue operations remain underway to reach those still trapped.

Initial reports suggest dangerous levels of carbon monoxide accumulated inside the mine, although officials have not yet explained what triggered the rise in gas concentrations.

Emergency teams, including rescue personnel and mining specialists, have been deployed to the site as efforts continue to locate survivors.

Mining accidents have declined in China in recent years following tighter safety regulations, but incidents continue to occur in the country’s vast coal industry. Carbon monoxide exposure remains one of the major hazards in underground mines and can quickly become fatal in enclosed environments.

The accident is expected to renew scrutiny of mine safety standards in China, where past disasters involving toxic gas leaks and explosions have killed dozens of workers.

Authorities have not yet released details on the condition of trapped miners or provided a timeline for rescue efforts.

Investigations into the cause of the incident are expected once emergency operations conclude.

News world 4 Dead, 90 Trapped In China Coal Mine After Carbon Monoxide Levels Rise

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