PM Modi condoles China's Shanxi mine blast that killed 82, 9 still trapped
Synopsis
A gas explosion at the Liushenyu coal mine in China's Shanxi Province has killed 82 people, left 9 missing, and hospitalised over 123 — one of the deadliest mining disasters in China so far in 2025. PM Modi reached out directly to President Xi Jinping on X, a gesture that carries diplomatic weight given the still-sensitive state of India-China ties.
Key Takeaways
A gas explosion at the Liushenyu coal mine , Qinyuan County , Shanxi Province , China, struck at 7:29 pm on Friday when over 200 workers were underground.
82 people have died; 9 remain missing and rescue teams are actively searching.
123 people are hospitalised, including 2 in critical and 2 in serious condition.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted condolences on X , addressing them directly to President Xi Jinping and the people of China.
President Xi Jinping has ordered an all-out rescue, full medical care for the injured, and a thorough accountability investigation.
Deadly coal mine accidents remain a persistent challenge in China despite tightened safety regulations in recent years.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 24 May 2025 expressed his condolences to Chinese President Xi Jinping over the deadly gas explosion at a coal mine in Shanxi Province, China, which has claimed 82 lives with nine persons still unaccounted for.
PM Modi's Message of Condolence
Modi conveyed India's solidarity in a post on X, writing: “Saddened by the loss of lives in a mining accident in Shanxi Province, China. On behalf of the people of India, my condolences to President Xi Jinping and the people of China. May the bereaved families find strength in this tragic hour. Praying for the early and safe recovery of all remaining missing persons.”
What Happened at the Liushenyu Mine
A gas explosion struck the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan County, Shanxi Province, at 7:29 pm on Friday when more than 200 workers were underground, according to the county’s emergency management bureau. Of those, 123 are receiving hospital treatment — two in critical condition, two in serious condition, and 119 with minor injuries. Multiple rescue teams are taking turns descending the shaft in search of the nine still missing.
Xi Jinping Orders Full Rescue and Accountability
President Xi Jinping has directed authorities to mount an all-out rescue operation, ensure the injured receive proper treatment, and launch a thorough investigation into the cause of the blast. An investigation team has been constituted to determine the responsibilities of local authorities, industry regulators, and the mining enterprise involved, with strict penalties to follow in accordance with the law.
China's Persistent Coal Mine Safety Challenge
Deadly accidents remain a recurring feature of China’s coal mining sector despite successive tightening of safety regulations. Earlier in 2025, a separate incident in Zhenping County, Shaanxi Province, saw part of an underground tunnel collapse while eight workers were conducting rectification work — five escaped, and three were trapped. The Shanxi explosion underscores that enforcement gaps persist even as regulatory frameworks have been strengthened. China is the world’s largest coal producer, and the industry’s scale means that even improved safety ratios can translate into significant absolute casualties.
What Happens Next
Rescue operations at the Liushenyu mine are ongoing, with teams working in rotation to reach the nine missing workers. The investigation team is expected to publish preliminary findings on the cause of the gas explosion and assign accountability. India’s diplomatic outreach, meanwhile, signals continued people-to-people engagement between New Delhi and Beijing even as the two countries navigate a complex bilateral relationship.
Point of View
And public gestures of solidarity on humanitarian events are one of the low-risk channels both sides use to keep the relationship functional. The Shanxi explosion itself is a reminder that China’s coal safety problem is structural, not incidental: the sector’s sheer scale and the pressure on local officials to maintain output create conditions where regulatory intent and ground-level enforcement routinely diverge. Xi’s personal directive to pursue accountability is a familiar post-disaster script, but whether it produces systemic change — rather than scapegoating of mine managers — is the question that Chinese safety advocates have been asking for two decades.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Shanxi coal mine explosion in China?
A gas explosion struck the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan County, Shanxi Province, at 7:29 pm on Friday when more than 200 workers were underground, according to the county’s emergency management bureau. The exact cause is under investigation, with a dedicated team tasked with determining the responsibilities of local authorities, regulators, and the mining enterprise.
How many people died in the Shanxi mining accident?
82 people have died in the Shanxi coal mine explosion as of the latest reports. Nine others remain missing, and rescue teams are continuing operations at the site.
What did PM Modi say about the China mining accident?
PM Modi posted his condolences on X, expressing sadness over the loss of lives and conveying sympathies on behalf of the people of India to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people. He also prayed for the early and safe recovery of all missing persons.
How many people are injured in the Liushenyu mine blast?
A total of 123 people are receiving hospital treatment following the explosion — two are in critical condition, two in serious condition, and 119 sustained minor injuries.
Is China's coal mining industry prone to accidents?
Yes, deadly accidents remain common in China’s coal mining sector, which is the world’s largest. Safety standards have been tightened in recent years, but incidents continue to occur. Earlier in 2025, a separate tunnel collapse in Shaanxi Province trapped three workers during rectification work.
