On May 26, 2026, the Chinese language website of French international broadcaster Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported that an investigation into the gas explosion accident at the Liushenyu Coal Mine in Shanxi Province, China, revealed a systematic and elaborate evasion of safety regulations.

The article stated that a large-scale gas explosion accident occurred at the Liushenyu Coal Mine in Qinyuan County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province, around 7:30 PM local time on the 22nd, resulting in at least 82 deaths, 2 missing, and 128 hospitalized for treatment. It reported that this was the highest death toll in a coal mine accident in China since the gas explosion accident at the Xinxing Coal Mine in Heilongjiang Province in November 2009, which killed 108 people.

Furthermore, it was pointed out that an investigation by the authorities revealed the coal mine had been operating with two separate sets of blueprints—one for actual operations and one for inspections—to deceive inspectors, thereby concealing certain mining areas from official oversight for extended periods. As a specific method, it described the practice of installing "false doors" resembling the rock walls of tunnels, which were immediately closed and covered with coal dust upon the arrival of inspectors to blend in with the surroundings.

It was also revealed that the coal mine hired workers through a subcontracting system to evade regulations, failing to equip them with legally mandated location identification devices or register them in entry records. The article noted that while official records showed 124 entrants, the actual number totaled 247, including 123 unregistered individuals.

Citing reports from state-run media, the article stated that the lack of accurate mine maps and personnel location information significantly hindered rescue operations after the accident, and that despite being a "high-gas coal mine" with a high risk of explosion, the installation of gas monitoring equipment had been intentionally avoided.

It further mentioned that this coal mine had been fined by regulatory authorities last year, raising concerns that the penalty did not act as a deterrent, and the company continued its illegal production thereafter. (Edited/Translated by Kawajiri)