Abstract On May 18, 2006, a disastrous groundwater inrush occurred at the Xinjing coal mine in Datong, Shanxi province, China. Great effort was taken during the post-accident rescue. However, triggered by the accumulated water rushed from the nearby abandoned tunnels and goafs of the Yanzishan coal mine, which had been closed for tens of years, it caused great damage, including 56 deaths and direct economic loss of over 53 million yuan. The outburst groundwater was from the abandoned goafs in the No.14-1 coal seam of the neighbour Yanzishan coal mine. The passage formed in northeast part of the mining area in the No. 14-1 coal seam. The average inflow rate was 23,333.3 m3/h. Unidentified spatial distribution and water-filled degree of the abandoned tunnels and goafs of the Yanzishan coal mine are critical contributions to the accident. Illegal mining in the No.14-1 coal seam is an anthropogenic contribution. That mandatory regulations for excessive groundwater exploration and release were not carried out in the mining is the third fatal cause leading to the accident. Finally, the poor awareness on water inrush recognition and control of the miners also induced the accident to a disastrous extent.

中文翻译：

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山西大同新井煤矿发生灾难性地下水突涌的形成机理

摘要 2006年5月18日，山西省大同市新井煤矿发生了灾难性的地下水突涌事故。事后救援付出了巨大的努力。然而，由于附近已关闭数十年的燕子山煤矿废弃隧道和采空区积水涌出，造成巨大损失，造成56人死亡，直接经济损失超过5300万元。突出地下水来自邻近燕子山煤矿14-1煤层废弃采空区。通道形成于矿区东北部14-1煤层。平均流入量为 23,333.3 立方米/小时。燕子山煤矿废弃隧道和采空区的空间分布和充水程度不明，是此次事故的重要原因。14-1 号煤层的非法开采是人为造成的。矿区未执行地下水超量开采和排放的强制性规定是导致事故的第三个致命原因。最后，矿工对突水识别和控制意识不强，也导致了事故的发生。