Following a tragic fire at a coal mining company building in Lüliang, North China’s Shanxi Province, resulting in 26 fatalities and 38 people hospitalized, local officials have pledged comprehensive medical care for the injured and a thorough investigation into the incident’s cause. The Shanxi Provincial Party Committee has committed to a special inspection targeting potential hazards to prevent future occurrences and ensure public safety.
The fire erupted at approximately 6:50 am on Thursday in a four-story building owned by a coal company in Lüliang. Rescue efforts were concluded by 1:45 pm on the same day, with 64 people transferred to the hospital. Of those, 26 died during emergency treatment, and the remaining individuals are still receiving medical care.
Officials observed a moment of silence for the victims on Friday afternoon, expressing deep apologies to their families. Zhang Guangyong, the mayor of Lüliang city, assured that follow-up actions would adhere to the law and regulations, ensuring proper compensation and upholding the dignity of the victims and their families.
During a press conference, Shanxi provincial fire rescue corps chief engineer Zhu Jiang provided preliminary details about the incident. The building, spanning approximately 900 square meters, contained over 200 sets of lockers, dividing the space into multiple compartments. More than 1,700 sets of hanging baskets, storing personal items like clothing and boots, were installed at the top. The fire’s high temperature caused these items and structures to fall, contributing to the severity of the incident.
In response to the tragedy, safety inspections on bathhouse hanging baskets in mining areas nationwide have been initiated. Fire detachments, including those in Huainan, Anhui Province, and the logistics service center of another mine in Shanxi, conducted targeted inspections focusing on fire safety and potential hazards.
A safety education video on a similar incident in Jingcheng, Daixian county, was presented during the meeting. The video highlighted more than 30 under-reported miner deaths due to work safety accidents over 15 years. Attendees expressed determination to learn from these incidents and consider them as warnings.
Surprise inspections on mine safety production conducted by the State Council’s safety production and firefighting inspection team and the National Mine Safety Administration revealed a prominent issue of miners lacking knowledge of how to use self-rescue devices. The inspections were prompted by a previous coal mine fire in Southwest China’s Guizhou Province that claimed 16 lives.
Experts attribute such accidents to enterprises rushing production deadlines and pursuing efficiency, leading to a relaxation in production safety measures.