5 dead after collapse during illegal mining in China's Yunnan
Beijing, May 31
Five persons died and one other was injured when a collapse occurred during illegal mining activities in Huize County of China's Yunnan Province on Sunday, officials said.
The incident took place at around 4:30 a.m. in Baiwu village of Nagu Town in Huize County, according to local authorities.
Emergency response, public security, firefighting, health and natural resources departments from the city of Qujing and Huize County launched rescue operations, pulling out all six trapped individuals and taking them to the hospital for treatment, Xinhua news agency reported.
Five of the rescued people succumbed to their injuries. The other survivor is now in stable condition and out of life-threatening danger.
An investigation into the cause of the collapse is underway.
Earlier in May, a coal mine accident in north China's Shanxi Province left 82 dead.
A gas explosion hit the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan County at 7:29 p.m. on May 22, when more than 200 people were down the shaft, according to the county's emergency management bureau.
A total of 123 people received treatment at hospitals, including two who were in critical condition and two in serious condition, while 119 others sustained minor injuries.
Multiple rescue teams took turns going down the mining shaft.
The investigation team said it will thoroughly ascertain the cause of the accident, clarify the responsibilities of local authorities, industry regulators and the enterprise involved, and mete out strict penalties in accordance with laws and regulations.
Deadly accidents are common in China's coal mining industry, due to which safety standards have been tightened in recent years, but accidents still occur.
Earlier in 2025, three people were trapped following a coal mine accident in Shaanxi Province. The accident occurred when part of an underground tunnel collapsed in Zhenping County, in the city of Ankang. Eight workers were carrying out rectification work at the site when the collapse happened, with five of them managing to escape safely.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Five lives lost in a preventable incident. It's heartbreaking. China's mining regulations have improved, but illegal operations continue to be a menace worldwide. Countries like India and China must share best practices to eliminate such tragedies. My prayers for the victims.
This is truly heartbreaking. In India too, we have seen many such accidents in places like Jharia and Raniganj. The real issue is lack of accountability. Authorities must investigate thoroughly and punish those responsible. Also, the survivor needs mental support—such trauma is not easy to overcome.
Terrible news. Mining accidents are a global issue, but the frequency in China and India is alarming. I've read that in China, a lot of mining is done by small, unlicensed operators who cut corners on safety. Stricter enforcement and better monitoring are needed. Also, 82 dead in that coal mine explosion earlier this month is shocking.
Very unfortunate. It's high time that both India and China prioritize worker safety over short-term gains. The report says strict penalties will be imposed, but we've heard that before. Real change comes from audits, better training, and shutting down illegal mines permanently. RIP to the deceased. 🙏
Such a tragedy. Illegal mining is a complex issue, often intertwined with poverty and lack of alternative livelihoods. While China's enforcement has tightened, these incidents show more work is needed. Similarly, in India, we need to provide legal mining options so people aren't forced into dangerous illegal operations.
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