Abstract: In response to the problem of continuous crossing of intersecting empty tunnels in the fully mechanized mining face, the research is grounded in the practical scenario of consecutive intersecting empty tunnels emerging ahead of a newly arranged fully mechanized mining face in a mine located in the western region. Employing methods such as theoretical analysis, numerical simulation and on-site experimentation, the study delves into the mechanical analysis of the immediate roof above the empty tunnels and the stability of the surrounding rock masses. As a result, the techniques for stabilizing the overlying strata through filling the empty tunnels are identified, and the parameters of the backfill are optimized. Field trials are also conducted to validate the findings. The research results indicate that, by establishing a mechanical model for the immediate roof of the empty tunnel under local filling, the optimal length spacing for the backfill of the empty tunnel is determined to be 6 m. Additionally, it is observed that the critical support resistance of the empty tunnel increased with the widening of the roadway. Numerical simulations are conducted to investigate the distribution patterns of plastic zones, the damage to surrounding rock, and stress conditions under varying lengths of backfills placed in parallel empty tunnels. The results indicated that as the length of the backfill increased, various indicators characterizing the deformation of surrounding rock in the roadway exhibited a decreasing trend. Specifically, when the working face advanced to the empty tunnel with a 10 m filling length, the roof subsidence, the inward displacement of the side wall near the backfill, the floor heave, and the deformation of the side wall far from the working face are reduced by 22%, 17%, 4%, and 24% respectively, compared to the 6 m backfill. The changes in the length of the backfill of the empty tunnel cause corresponding variations in the extent of the plastic zone. The larger the length of the backfill in the empty tunnel, the smaller the extent of the plastic zone surrounding it. Field industrial tests have verified the reliability of the local filling scheme.