China: Search and rescue efforts continued in northern China following the collapse of a coal mine, which left at least four people dead and scores missing.

As of February 23rd 2023 afternoon, 49 persons were still unaccounted for, as per Chinese state media. According to state broadcaster CCTV, the disaster happened on February 22nd 2023 in Alxa League, Inner Mongolia, when a 180-metre (590-foot) steep slope gave way above the open-pit mine.

A significant landslide close to the scene on February 22nd 2023 night caused the rescue effort to be suspended overnight. As of early February 23rd 2023 morning, efforts were still hindered, while official media said in the afternoon that rescue efforts were “ongoing.”

More than 470 rescue workers have been working at the scene, alongside 40 medical workers, team leader Mr. Wei Zhiguo told CCTV from the scene, as per the report. An additional 200-member team has also been mobilized, Mr. Zhiguoe said.

The Inner Mongolia autonomous authority has also summoned firefighters, rescue dogs, and trucks. According to the statement, Chinese Premier Mr. Li Keqiang demanded a quick probe into the accident’s cause. The abandoned coal mine is situated in the Alxa League town and is owned by Xinjing Coal Mining Corporation.

Although mine safety in China has improved recently, mishaps are nevertheless common in a sector where safety standards are typically inadequate, particularly at the most basic sites. When a gold mine in the northwest Xinjiang region collapsed in December 2022, about 40 workers were working underground. More than fifty percent of them were saved. In the northern Shanxi Province in 2021, 20 miners were rescued from a coal mine that had become submerged, while two others perished.

BUSINESS: Japan’s economy weaker than expected amid COVID recovery; Report