Shanxi tunnel explosion death toll rises to 31

The death toll from a tunnel explosion in Shanxi province has risen to 31, with a further nine people still missing, state media has reported this week, over 12 days after the incident.

Since initial reports on March 1, the death toll has been steadily climbing, reaching 16 on Wednesday before leaping up to 31 this afternoon. According to the SCMP, it has been difficult for investigators to accurately calculate casualty numbers because many of the human remains were "highly carbonised". However, in a conflicting report, Time questions whether the "delay in reporting the death toll may point to an official cover-up around the National People’s Congress", in order to hide a "potentially riling story".

Investigators from central and local government agencies believe a collision between two methanol tankers led to a leakage which caused a fire. This rapidly spread to more than ten coal carrying lorries inside the 800 metre (2,600 foot) long tunnel near Jincheng. 42 vehicles were destroyed in the disaster, and 48 people managed to escape the burning tunnel.

Investigators have blamed both poor highway and dangerous goods management for the disaster. A checkpoint approximately 3.8 km (2.3 miles) away from the tunnel also slowed down escaping vehicles.

[Image via Weibo]