A devastating gas explosion at the Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi province, China, has resulted in 82 deaths and left nine individuals missing. The explosion occurred at 7:29 PM local time on Friday, with 247 workers present underground. While rescue teams managed to bring most workers to safety by Saturday morning, the death toll increased as the situation unfolded. President Xi Jinping has called for 'all-out efforts' to treat the injured and has ordered thorough investigations into the incident, highlighting the need for improved workplace safety measures. An official from the mining company has been detained as part of the inquiry. Despite advancements in mine safety over the years, the coal mining industry in China continues to face challenges, with lax safety protocols contributing to tragic accidents. This incident marks one of the most significant industrial disasters in recent years, echoing previous tragedies in the sector, including a 2023 collapse in Inner Mongolia that killed 53 people and a 2009 explosion in Heilongjiang that claimed over 100 lives. China remains the world's largest consumer of coal and a major emitter of greenhouse gases, despite rapid growth in renewable energy capacity.