The2009 Heilongjiang mine explosion(Chinese:Hạc cương tân hưng môi quáng bạo tạc sự cố;pinyin:Hègǎng Xīnxīng méikuàng bàozhà shìgù) was amining accidentthat occurred on November 21, 2009, nearHegangin theHeilongjiang,northeasternChina,which killed 108 people.[1]A further 29 people were hospitalised.[2][3]The explosion occurred in the Xinxing coal mine shortly before dawn, at 02:30CST,when 528 people were believed to be in the pit. Of these, 420 are believed to have been rescued.
 | |
| Date | November 21, 2009 |
|---|---|
| Time | 02:30CST |
| Location | Hegang,Heilongjiang, China |
| Coordinates | 47°18′13″N130°16′58″E/ 47.30361°N 130.28278°E |
| Casualties | |
| 108 dead and 29 injured | |
Location and explosion
editThe mine, located close to theChina–Russia border,is owned by the state-run[4]Heilongjiang Longmay Mining Holding Group Co., Ltd.,which has been open since 1917,[4]and produces 12 million tons of coal per year,[5]making it one of the largest and oldest coal mines in the country.[6]A preliminary investigation concluded that the explosion was caused by trapped, pressurised gases underground and poor ventilation in the mine shaft.[7][8][9][10]The blast was powerful enough that it was felt 10 kilometres (6 mi) away. Many nearby buildings were damaged, including one next to the mine whose roof was blown off.[11]The director of Hegang General Hospital, where the injured were being treated, told theXinhua News Agencythat "most of the injured are suffering from compound injuries, such as respiratory injuries, broken bones and gas poisoning".[6][9]
Response
editA Chinese official said rescue efforts were being impeded by gas and debris from collapsed tunnels.[5]The death toll made it the worstaccident of its typewithin the past two years.[7]While hope for those trapped was fading, a Chinese official stated that the effort was still a rescue operation.[12]San Jingguang, a mining company spokesman stated that "if we haven't found them, to us that means they are still alive."[11]
Chinese Vice-PremierZhang Dejiangvisited the site to inspect rescue efforts on the afternoon of November 21, whileGeneral Secretary of the Chinese Communist PartyHu JintaoandPremier of the State CouncilWen Jiabaoare both said to have "made instructions on the rescue work".[2]Both have also expressed condolences for those killed.[13]Meanwhile,Li Zhanshu,the governor of Heilongjiang called for increased safety standards in Chinese mines,[13]and the provincial work safety bureau vowed to step up its mining reform programme.[6]
Chinese television initially reported that the death toll was 31.[14]It later reported the number of dead had more than doubled over the extremely cold night.[4][5]
As a result of the accident, the director, vice director and chief engineer of the mining company are reported to have been removed from their individual posts.[9][13][15]The Chinese state prosecutor is investigating the possibility that criminal negligence was responsible for the disaster.[9][16]Chinese media reported on November 23, 2009, that an investigation had concluded poor management was to blame for the incident.[10]Relatives of the deceased also claimed on November 23 that officials did not notify them of the accident.[17]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^"Hắc long giang tân hưng môi quáng sự cố tối chung xác định 108 nhân tử vong"[Heilongjiang Mine Incident Confirmed to have a Final Death Toll of 108 People] (in Chinese).Sina.com.November 27, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on December 2, 2009.RetrievedNovember 28,2009.
- ^abBradsher, Keith(November 22, 2009)."At least 87 dies in Chinese mine explosion".New York Times.Hong Kong.Archivedfrom the original on December 1, 2017.RetrievedNovember 22,2009.
- ^Anna, Cara (November 22, 2009)."At least 89 killed in coal mine blast".Austin American-Statesman.USA.AP.Archived fromthe originalon June 7, 2011.RetrievedNovember 22,2009– via Statesman.com.
- ^abcMacArtney, Jane (November 22, 2009)."Scores dead in China mine explosion".The Times.London.RetrievedNovember 22,2009.[dead link]
- ^abcDuncan, Maxim (November 22, 2009)."China mine explosion death toll reaches 87".London: Reuters. Archived fromthe originalon March 5, 2016.RetrievedNovember 22,2009.
- ^abc"87 workers perish in China mine disaster".Philippine Daily Inquirer.Philippines. November 22, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon November 23, 2009.RetrievedNovember 22,2009.
- ^ab"China coal mine blast death toll reaches 87".London: BBC News. November 21, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on July 9, 2023.RetrievedNovember 22,2009.
- ^"China mine death toll hits 92".Atlanta: CNN. November 22, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on October 19, 2012.RetrievedNovember 22,2009.
- ^abcd"92 killed in China mine disaster".Sydney Morning Herald.Sydney.Agence France Presse.November 22, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on November 5, 2012.RetrievedNovember 22,2009.
- ^ab"Management blamed in China mine blast that kills 104".New York: CNN. November 23, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on November 6, 2012.RetrievedNovember 23,2009.
- ^abCassidy, Katie (November 22, 2009)."China mine gas explosion death toll rises".London: Sky News. Archived fromthe originalon October 6, 2012.RetrievedNovember 22,2009.
- ^"Survivors recount mine disaster".New York: Associated Press. November 22, 2009.RetrievedNovember 22,2009.[dead link]
- ^abc"Hopes fade for miners as fatal blast toll hits 92".Shanghai Daily.November 22, 2009.RetrievedNovember 22,2009.
- ^"Mine blast kills 42, scores still trapped in debris".Paris:France24.November 21, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon November 24, 2009.RetrievedNovember 22,2009.
- ^"China coal mine death toll hits 92".New York: Bloomberg. November 22, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on October 26, 2012.RetrievedNovember 22,2009.
- ^"Mine explosion death toll reaches 92 in China".Gulf Times.November 22, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon June 8, 2011.RetrievedNovember 22,2009.
- ^Kosich, Dorothy (November 23, 2009)."Deadly blast in state owned Chinese coal mine in Heilongjiang kills 104 miners".Nevada: Mineweb. Archived fromthe originalon October 4, 2011.RetrievedNovember 23,2009.