Sixteen people were killed in a coal mine accident in Panzhou city in southern China’s Guizhou province. The mine, owned by Guizhou Panjiang Refined Coal Co, has suspended production, as have all coal mines in Panzhou city. The area represents about 5% of China’s coking coal production capacity, primarily producing coking coal. Panjiang Coal, the state-owned company, has ordered safety inspections at all of its mines and is taking measures to ensure safe production. This incident follows a series of accidents in China’s coal mines, prompting authorities to implement safety measures and accelerate automation in the sector.