BEIJING, May 23: A gas explosion at a coal mine in China’s northern province of Shanxi killed at least 82 people, state media reported Saturday, after dozens were reportedly trapped underground.
The accident at Changzhi city’s Liushenyu coal mine happened on Friday evening, according to official news agency Xinhua, which initially reported around 247 workers were trapped underground at the time. The rise in the death toll came after the news agency reported early Saturday that eight people were killed and 38 were trapped underground.
The cause of the explosion was under investigation, Xinhua reported, and rescue work is pressing on. (AP)
