Explosion at Chinese Coal Mine Kills at Least 82, Leaves Nine Missing

An explosion ripped through the Liushenyu coal mine in northern China on Friday night, killing at least 82 people and leaving nine workers missing, Chinese state media reported. The blast occurred at 19:29 local time at the mine in Changzhi City, Shanxi province. A total of 247 workers were underground when the incident happened.

Rescue operations are underway with more than 100 people taken to hospitals. Carbon monoxide levels inside the mine exceeded limits, according to Xinhua. Chinese President Xi Jinping directed that no effort be spared to treat the injured and locate the missing.

He also ordered an investigation into the cause and accountability for those responsible. Officials at the Tongzhou Group, which operates the mine, have been detained. Xinhua initially reported eight deaths before revising the toll upward; the agency did not explain the change.

Shanxi province is China's leading coal-producing region. The country remains the world's largest coal consumer and greenhouse-gas emitter.