Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi publicly extended condolences to China via social media following a gas explosion at the Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi province’s Qinyuan County on May 22, 2026. The disaster killed 82 miners and injured over 120, making it China’s deadliest mining accident in more than a decade.
Araghchi’s post, shared by BRICSinfo, included portraits of the Iranian foreign minister and Chinese President Xi Jinping to underscore the diplomatic gesture. The message came as rescue teams concluded operations at the mine, where 247 workers were underground when the blast occurred at 7:29 p.m. local time.
Chinese state media initially reported a higher toll before revising the number to 82 dead, 128 injured and hospitalized, and two still unaccounted for. Investigations revealed concealed mining tunnels, falsified drawings, and unregistered miners working without required safety trackers. President Xi Jinping ordered “all-out” efforts to rescue and treat the injured and called for a thorough investigation with strict accountability.
The explosion at the mine, operated by Shanxi Tongzhou Coal & Coke Group, happened at a site listed in 2024 as disaster-prone due to high gas content. It surpassed the 2009 Xinxing Mine blast in Heilongjiang as China’s worst coal mining tragedy in 15 years.
Araghchi’s condolence message reflects deepening Iran-China ties through energy trade, strategic partnerships, and mutual support as BRICS members navigating global geopolitics. Both countries have expanded cooperation in oil, infrastructure, and multilateral forums in recent years. The public show of solidarity highlights how humanitarian gestures remain part of diplomatic engagement even amid broader geopolitical competition.
China remains the world’s largest coal producer and consumer, with Shanxi province alone accounting for nearly a third of national output. While safety standards have improved over the decades, accidents persist due to lax protocols and production pressure…See More
