A gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China has killed at least eight people and left dozens trapped underground, according to Chinese state media reports published on Saturday.
The explosion occurred at 7:29pm on Friday at the Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi province, the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.
At the time of the blast, 247 miners were working underground.
Authorities said 201 workers had been safely rescued by 6am on Saturday.
Eight miners were confirmed dead, while 38 others remained trapped beneath the surface as rescue operations continued.
Xinhua, citing local emergency management officials, reported that elevated levels of carbon monoxide – a highly toxic and odourless gas- were detected at the mine following the explosion.
Earlier reports also indicated that some of the trapped miners were in critical condition.
Emergency crews continued efforts to reach those still underground, while officials launched an investigation into the cause of the accident.
Shanxi province, one of China’s less affluent regions, is known as the country’s main coal-producing hub. Although mining safety standards in China have improved over recent decades, deadly accidents continue to occur in the industry, where enforcement of safety regulations is often criticised as inadequate.
China remains the world’s largest consumer of coal and the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, even as it rapidly expands its renewable energy capacity.
