On December 21, a water influx incident occurred at the Datonggou Coal Mine of the Fengyuan Mining Company in Heilongjiang Province, leading to 5 people being trapped. The latest updates indicate that all 5 trapped individuals have unfortunately lost their lives.
According to the official Chinese media Xinhua News Agency, on December 23, a reporter learned from the scene of the water influx incident at the Datonggou Coal Mine of Fengyuan Mining Company in Heilongjiang Province that the 5 trapped individuals have been discovered, all without vital signs, and have tragically perished. Currently, post-accident disposal work has commenced, and further investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing.
Around 4:30 am on December 21, the incident occurred at the Datonggou Coal Mine, resulting in the trapping of the aforementioned 5 individuals.
After the incident, it was reported by Jiemu News that during a safety inspection conducted by the State Administration of Work Safety in Heilongjiang on May 27-28, it was found that there were three significant hidden safety hazards at the Datonggou Coal Mine of Fengyuan Mining Company. As a result, the mine was suspended for rectification for 3 days starting from June 6, 2025.
The three major safety hazards identified were as follows: misuse of safety production costs, inadequate investment in gas extraction equipment and other essential equipment, early coal mining before the regulated period, and the use of outdated equipment in key mining operations.
On June 9, the safety production committee in Dadao District issued a notice regarding the major safety hazards at the mine, mentioning the closure approval on June 10 after the on-site verification by the district emergency management bureau and approval by the district committee and government leaders, emphasizing the importance of strict enforcement.
On December 23, author of “Self-Media Marketing and Operation Practical Combat” Qin Xuwen mentioned the three aforementioned hidden dangers in a blog post, stating, “These three hazards are deadly: misappropriation of safety funds, inadequate investment in essential equipment, violation of mining regulations, and the use of outdated equipment jeopardizing safety.”
The blog emphasized the need for both companies and regulatory bodies to learn from this incident and uphold three critical principles: not compromising safety expenses, meticulous oversight during shutdowns, and strict enforcement of safety regulations to ensure the well-being of workers.
Every safety incident serves as a reminder to uphold the value of life. In mining, there is no room for approximation – safety measures must be strictly adhered to, and hidden hazards must be thoroughly investigated to safeguard every life. The responsibility for safety is paramount, and ensuring compliance and hazard mitigation is the highest duty towards every worker’s life!