Pioneer in short
Coal mine explosion in China kills 90
Ninety miners were killed in a gas explosion in a coal mine in north China’s Shanxi Province, while all-out rescues are underway to reach those still unaccounted for, official media in Beijing reported on Saturday. A total of 247 workers were underground when the accident occurred on Friday evening at the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan County, Changzhi. Mining disasters are common in energy-hungry China, and are largely attributed to poor working conditions and a weak regulatory framework. The death toll rose to 90 following the accident, while around 123 people of those rescued are receiving treatment at hospitals, including two in critical condition and two in serious condition. Nine people remain unaccounted for as rescue operations continue to locate them, State-run media reported. Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued instructions for a comprehensive rescue operation and treatment of the injured. He has called for proper handling of the aftermath of the accident and sought a thorough investigation into its cause, with accountability pursued in accordance with the law. Xi has stressed that authorities across the country must learn from the accident, remain vigilant on workplace safety.
Army officers survive chopper crash in Leh
A senior Indian Army commander and two pilots survived injuries after a Cheetah light helicopter crashed in the high-altitude Ladakh sector on May 20, prompting the Army to order a formal investigation into the incident. The aircraft was on a routine flight in the strategically sensitive region when it met with an accident. It was carrying three personnel, including Division Commander Major General Sachin Mehta and two pilots, all of whom sustained injuries after the helicopter went down.
The Indian Army has instituted a Court of Inquiry to examine technical, mechanical and environmental factors that may have led to the crash. Officials said a detailed probe has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the incident.
