All-out rescues are still underway to reach the two people who remained unaccounted for following a deadly coal mine accident in north China's Shanxi Province.
The gas explosion hit the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan County at 19:29 on Friday, when more than 200 people were down the shaft, according to the county's emergency management bureau.
A total of 82 people have been confirmed dead while two others remained missing, officials said at a press conference on Saturday.
The Shangxi Provincial Government has sent 755 people including search and rescue personnel and medical workers to the site. The Ministry of Emergency Management said it had dispatched six national mine emergency search and rescue teams, totaling 345 people, to assist in the search and rescue efforts.
"First, an on-site emergency rescue command headquarters has been established, with the following working groups set up under its coordination: a comprehensive coordination group, an emergency rescue group, an expert technical support group, a medical treatment group, a social stability group, an emergency support group, a publicity and media group, and an incident aftermath handling group. Second, 335 professional rescue personnel and 420 medical staff members have been rapidly assembled and deployed to the scene; mobile hyperbaric oxygen chambers from surrounding areas, together with 86 ambulances, have been mobilized to promptly carry out emergency rescue, medical treatment, and related operations; and experts organized by the National Health Commission and the provincial health commission are conducting online remote consultations," said Chen Xiangyang, mayor of Changzhi City, which administers Qinyuan, at a press conference.
"Third, underground conditions -- including gas and carbon monoxide concentrations -- are being closely monitored to strictly prevent secondary accidents. Fourth, all four coal mines under Tongzhou Coal and Coke Group have been ordered to immediately suspend production for comprehensive rectification. Fifth, control measures have been immediately taken against the enterprise's actual controllers, persons in charge, and other relevant personnel. Meanwhile, every effort is being made to seize the critical golden rescue window, racing against time to search for and rescue the remaining trapped individuals," Chen said.
Another 128 people are receiving treatment at hospitals, including two in critical condition and two in serious condition.
Those with minor injuries have all been transferred to major hospitals for close observation and treatment. The severely and critically injured patients are under tailored treatment developed by medical expert teams.
The National Health Commission has organized remote consultations by medical experts in Beijing. Respiratory, burning and orthopedic specialists from two Beijing hospitals have also been dispatched to the scene.
Toxic and harmful gases under the mine shaft have exceeded safe limits for a long time, posing a risk of secondary disasters.
A specialized reconnaissance robot was deployed into the mine shaft early Sunday morning. The explosion-proof reconnaissance robot, equipped with gas detectors, infrared imaging, and real-time video transmission, enables remote operation in hazardous underground environments -- reducing rescuers' exposure to toxic gases and preventing secondary casualties.
The company involved in the coal mine explosion was found with "serious violations of laws." Those responsible for the company have been placed under control. The company's coal mines have ceased production for safety overhaul, according to Chen at the press conference.
All-out search, rescue efforts underway after coal mine accident in north China
