A gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China has killed at least 90 people, according to Chinese authorities. It is the deadliest mining disaster in the country since at least 2009.
The accident occurred Friday evening at the Liushenyu coal mine, located in Qinyuan County, Shanxi Province, China's main mining region. According to the official Xinhua news agency, 247 workers were underground at the time of the explosion.
Rescue operations continued on Saturday as authorities still tried to locate any possible survivors. An investigation has also been launched to determine the exact causes of the accident.
The mine is operated by Shanxi Tongzhou Group Liushenyu Coal Industry, which is controlled by the Shanxi Tongzhou Coal Coking Group, according to Chinese company data.
Faced with the scale of the tragedy, the Chinese president Xi Jinping He called on the authorities to "spare no effort" in rescuing the victims and treating the injured. He also ordered a thorough investigation and strict sanctions against those responsible.
Shanxi, the historical heartland of China's coal industry, continues to experience frequent mining accidents despite Beijing's efforts to improve safety standards in the sector. Gas explosions are among the most common risks in the country's mines.
This disaster raises renewed questions about safety conditions in the Chinese mining industry, as coal remains an essential source of energy for the world's second largest economy.
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