A tragic incident unfolded in southwest China when a fire erupted at the Shanjiaoshu Coal Mine on Sunday at approximately 8:10 am (0010 GMT). Local authorities confirmed that, despite successfully extinguishing the fire, there were no signs of life in 16 individuals affected by the incident. The Panzhou City government conveyed this unfortunate news through a notice on its website.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire originated from a conveyor belt within the mine. Located approximately 3,600 kilometers (2,250 miles) southwest of Beijing, the Panzhou City mine is a grim reminder of the ongoing safety challenges in China’s mining industry. Although safety measures have improved in recent decades, the sector still grapples with frequent accidents, often attributable to inadequate enforcement of safety protocols, particularly in less advanced mining operations.
