Five miners trapped in a coal mine accident in Heilongjiang Province have been confirmed dead, local authorities announced on December 23, 2025. The incident occurred on December 21 at a facility near Jixi City, with rescue operations concluding after 48 hours of intensive efforts.
An official investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the collapse, which marks the deadliest industrial accident in the region this year. Safety inspectors from the provincial emergency management department are currently reviewing operational records and conducting site evaluations.
Coal remains a vital energy resource in northeast China, with Heilongjiang accounting for 12% of the Chinese mainland's annual production. The incident has renewed discussions about workplace safety protocols in high-risk industries, particularly as winter energy demands peak.
Authorities confirmed compensation procedures for victims' families have been initiated, while neighboring mines have suspended operations for mandatory safety checks. This tragedy follows nationwide efforts to modernize extraction technologies and reduce reliance on manual labor in the sector.
