Tragic Mine Collapse in China’s Inner Mongolia Claims 4 Lives, 49 Missing

A tragic mine collapse in China's Inner Mongolia region has already claimed the lives of four people, with 49 more still missing as of Thursday afternoon.^[0] Rescue operations had been halted overnight due to a massive landslide near the site, though state media reported in the afternoon that operations were “ongoing.”

On Wednesday evening, the rescue mission led by Wei Zhiguo was interrupted by a “large landslide”, according to the leader. Search efforts were hindered by a second landslide later in the day, after the first one had paused them overnight.^[1]

Inner Mongolia is one of China’s top three coal-producing regions, along with Shanxi and Shaanxi, which produce 90% of the country’s coal.^[2] Chinese mines have been attempting to boost output over the past year in a bid to boost supplies and lower prices.^[1]

According to CCTV, one hospitalized miner told reporters that the situation quickly became dire after a rockslide began at 1:15 in the afternoon. “I saw that the situation was getting more and more serious, and an evacuation was organized, but it was too late, the mountain just collapsed,” the miner said.^[3]

In response to the tragedy, Chinese leader Xi Jinping said: “We must make every possible effort to rescue the missing persons and treat the injured.”^[4] Rescue operations are still ongoing, though the chances of finding survivors are slim. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this tragedy.

0. “China Coal Mine Collapse Kills Four Lives with 49 People Still Missing” Bloomberg, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-02-23/death-toll-rises-after-coal-mine-collapses-in-northern-china

1. “Scores missing after large mine collapse in China” BBC, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-64730607

2. “At least five killed in open-pit coalmine collapse in north China” The Guardian, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/23/miners-killed-in-open-pit-coalmine-collapse-in-north-china

3. “Death toll rises in China mine collapse as rescue efforts continue” CNN, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/22/china/china-coal-mine-collapse-intl/index.html

4. “Death toll rises in China mine collapse as rescue efforts continue” KAKE, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.kake.com/story/48430640/death-toll-rises-in-china-mine-collapse-as-rescue-efforts-continue