Five coal miners in northern Vietnam died when a coal mine in Quang Ninh province collapsed on Monday. The victims ranged in age from 23 to 47 and were employed by a state-owned coal miner called Vinacomin. An investigation into the cause of the accident is currently underway.
Vietnam heavily relies on fossil fuels for power generation, with coal-fired power plants making up 60% of the country’s electricity output in the first half of this year. This dependence on coal has led to regular accidents in the country’s coal mines. In April, four miners were killed and seven injured in a coal mine gas explosion at another Vinacomin-run mine.
The province’s People’s Committee has not released further details about the collapse, and Vinacomin has yet to comment on the incident. Coal mining accidents are a familiar tragedy in Vietnam, where the demand for coal remains high due to the country’s reliance on fossil fuels for power. The government has faced criticism for the lack of safety measures in place to protect workers in the coal mining industry.
The victims of the collapse were all male employees of Vinacomin, highlighting the dangerous working conditions faced by coal miners in Vietnam. The country’s largest coal mining area, Quang Ninh province, has seen an increase in mining accidents over the years due to the high demand for coal. This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for improved safety regulations and enforcement in the coal mining industry.
The Vietnam government must take immediate action to address the safety concerns in the coal mining industry to prevent further tragedies. Improved safety regulations, enforcement, and training are essential to protect coal miners and prevent future accidents. The families of the victims deserve justice and compensation for their loss, and the government must hold accountable those responsible for the collapse.
While the investigation into the cause of the collapse is ongoing, it is clear that more needs to be done to ensure the safety of coal miners in Vietnam. The government, coal mining companies, and relevant authorities must work together to implement effective safety measures and prevent future accidents. The tragic loss of life in this incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers faced by coal miners in the country and the urgent need for reform in the coal mining industry.
