Eight dead, dozens trapped in Chinese coal mine after gas explosion

By Hira Humayun, Bo Gu, CNN

(CNN) — At least eight people are dead and 38 others trapped underground after a gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China on Friday night, according to state media.

Xinhua News reported earlier that carbon monoxide levels “exceeded limits” in the mine, in Shanxi province.

Rescue efforts are continuing at the Liushenyu coal mine in the city of Changzhi, Xinhua reported. The explosion occurred at 7:30 p.m. local time (7:30 a.m. ET) when 247 workers were underground.

At least 201 people were evacuated by 6:00 a.m. local time on Saturday, according to Xinhua.

The cause of the accident is under investigation, Xinhua said.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping called for an “all-out rescue” of the missing, Xinhua reported Saturday, adding he also “urged a thorough investigation into its cause, with accountability pursued in accordance with the law.”

Shanxi is a major hub for Chinese coal and home to a mining industry with a notoriously poor safety record. In recent years, the province has been the site of thousands of similar accidents.

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