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 are trapped underground after a gas explosion in a coal mine in northern China’s Shanxi province on Friday night, according to state media.

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

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.

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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