At least 82 people have been killed and two are missing after a coal mine blast in northern China, officials have said.
The report indicates that at least 82 people have been killed and two are missing after a coal mine blast in northern China, officials have said.
It further notes that rescue officials revised down the death toll in an update late on Saturday, having earlier stated at least 90 people had died.
The gas explosion at the Liushenyu Coal Mine in Shanxi province is the worst mining disaster in China since 2009.
There were 247 workers reportedly on duty when the blast happened at 19:29 local time (11:29 GMT) on Friday, with more than 100 people stated to be saved and hundreds of rescuers sent to the site.
Chinese President Xi Jinping stated no effort must be spared in efforts to treat the injured and search for survivors.
The country’s state council later stated a “rigorous” investigation would be conducted and those found responsible would be “severely punished”.
Officials apologised for the confusion over the death toll, saying the situation was chaotic at the beginning which led to an unclear headcount and an incorrect figure.
They stated that 128 people were being treated in hospitals, including two in critical condition.
Most were affected after inhaling poisonous gas, according to state media, though it is not clear what type of gas it was.
Early on Sunday morning, rescuers deployed mine inspection robots underground, equipped with gas sensors and infrared cameras, state media reported.
The robots were operated by rescue workers who used them to enter unreachable areas to collect data and detect signs of life.
Local officials have also ordered immediate safety inspections of coal mines across Shanxi province. Production has been suspended at all four mines run by the group in charge of the Liushenyu Coal Mine, state media reported.
Wang Yong, an injured miner, told state media that when the incident happened, he did not hear a sound but saw a sudden plume of smoke.
“I smelled sulphur, the same smell you get from blasting. I shouted at people to run. As we were running I could see people collapsing from the fumes. Then I blacked out too,” he said.
