At least 90 workers have been killed following a gas explosion at the Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi Province, according to Chinese authorities, with nine miners still reported missing.
The explosion occurred late Friday while hundreds of miners were working underground, triggering a massive rescue operation at the site.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered “all-out” rescue efforts and emergency response measures as teams continue searching for survivors and recovering victims.
Authorities say an investigation into the cause of the blast is already underway, and a company official linked to the mine has reportedly been detained as part of the inquiry.
The disaster has once again raised concerns over mine safety standards in China, where industrial accidents in the mining sector have continued despite repeated government pledges to strengthen safety enforcement and oversight.
Families of the miners have gathered near the site awaiting updates as emergency crews work around the clock in difficult underground conditions.
