What does it mean by mentioning "opposite sides of the world"?

Two tragedies at coal mines on opposite sides of the world remind us all how dangerous some jobs can be.
     In China last week, floodwaters from a river trapped one hundred and eighty-one miners in two mines. An official in Shandong province said Thursday that there was no hope of finding them alive.
     The Crandall Canyon mine in the American state of Utah collapsed on August sixth, trapping six miners. Last week, another collapse at the mine killed three rescuers and injured six others.
     Coal mining deaths have been decreasing in the United States. But last year there were forty-seven, more than double the number the year before. Twelve of the deaths resulted from an explosion at the Sago mine in West Virginia.
    The Labor Department has a newly published report on work-related deaths last year in the United States. The construction industry had the largest number. But the single deadliest job in the United States is commercial fisherman.