6 dead, 1 missing after coal mine collapse in Shanxi

On Monday, six people were killed, and one went missing after a colliery shaft collapsed at a warehouse in Shanxi province, authorities said in a statement on Thursday.

The collapse occurred around 10:45 pm at Taoyuan Xinlong Coal Industry Corporation in Zhongyang county of Lyuliang city, burying seven people.

The preliminary investigation has revealed that the collapse was triggered by a blockage in the coal cutter, prompting on-site maintenance. During the maintenance process, a sudden surge of coal slurry from the coal warehouse engulfed and buried the seven miners, said the statement.

A thorough investigation and handling of the accident will be conducted, and the corporation was ordered to halt production for rectification immediately.

The statement, issued by the Shanxi Provincial Emergency Management Department and the Shanxi Bureau of the National Mine Safety Administration, urged heightened vigilance and strict adherence to safety protocols within the coal mining industry.

This incident follows a previous coal storage collapse in Lyuliang on Dec 13.