The death toll from a gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China has risen to 90, as rescue operations continue at the site of one of the country’s deadliest mining disasters in recent years.
According to the Ministry of Emergency Management of China, six national mine emergency rescue teams, consisting of 345 personnel and specialized equipment, were dispatched to assist with ongoing rescue efforts.
Chinese state media reported that the explosion occurred at around 7:29 p.m. local time on Friday at a coal mine in Shanxi while 247 workers were underground during the incident.
Xi Jinping ordered authorities to make every possible effort to rescue missing workers and provide treatment for the injured following the explosion.
Officials also confirmed that the individual responsible for the mine has been detained in accordance with Chinese law as investigations into the cause of the disaster continue.
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