A mining accident in Leshan, Sichuan province, southwest China, resulted in seven fatalities and left one person trapped on Wednesday, according to state media. The incident occurred around 10:00 am when workers were closing a ventilation shaft at a coal mine.
State broadcaster CCTV reported that eight people were initially trapped in the accident. By 2:00 pm, rescuers had recovered seven bodies, while efforts continued to locate the remaining trapped individual.
Despite improvements in mine safety and media coverage over recent decades, mining accidents remain common in China, where safety protocols can be inadequate, particularly at less regulated sites. Last February, a major disaster in Inner Mongolia saw a coal mine slope collapse, leading to the deaths or disappearances of 53 people.
