NEW DELHI: Public anger is mounting in China following the country’s deadliest mining disaster in more than 15 years, after a massive explosion at the Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi province killed at least 82 people and injured over 120 others.

The blast, which occurred on Friday in one of China’s major coal-producing regions, has revived painful memories of the frequent mining accidents that plagued the country during the early 2000s. Many citizens are now questioning whether safety standards in the industry have weakened despite years of reform efforts.

Chinese authorities said preliminary investigations found that Tongzhou Group, the operator of the privately-owned mine, was involved in “serious illegal violations.” Officials have promised a strict probe and vowed to take severe action against those responsible.

State media reported that executives linked to the company have been placed under “control measures,” while operations at all four coal mines run by Tongzhou Group in Shanxi have been suspended. The company has not yet issued a public response.

Although officials have not disclosed the full extent of the alleged safety violations, reports in state media highlighted several irregularities. Some miners reportedly entered the site without mandatory tracking devices, while mine blueprints submitted to authorities allegedly did not match actual underground conditions, complicating rescue operations.

Media reports also claimed the number of workers present during the explosion was nearly double the officially registered count, raising concerns over possible violations of staffing and production limits.

The incident has triggered widespread debate on Chinese social media platforms, where users are demanding accountability and stronger enforcement of mine safety regulations. Many posts criticised the company for repeated violations, noting that Tongzhou Group had already faced administrative penalties earlier this year and that the Liushenyu mine had previously been listed among sites with “severe hazards.”

While criticism of authorities is often censored online in China, much of the public backlash in this case has focused directly on the mining company and its management practices.

China had significantly improved coal mine safety over the past decade through stricter regulations, closure of illegal mines and adoption of international safety standards. However, the latest disaster has renewed concerns about enforcement gaps and operational negligence within the sector.

Rescue efforts are still underway, with hundreds of emergency personnel continuing search operations for at least two missing workers as anxious family members wait outside the mine for updates.