Coal Mine Gas Explosion in China Kills 82, Two Missing

The death toll from a gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China's Shanxi province has reached 82 and two people are missing, state media organisation Xinhua reports.

Chinese authorities revised an earlier death toll of 90 to 82, as reported by state media.

The gas explosion occurred late on Friday at the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan County, while 247 workers were on duty underground, Xinhua reported earlier.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for authorities to "spare no effort" in treating the injured and conducting search and rescue operations, while ordering a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident and strict accountability in accordance with the law, according to Xinhua.

Premier Li Qiang echoed the instructions, calling for the timely and accurate release of information and accountability.

Rescue operations ongoing

Rescue operations are ongoing and the cause of the incident is under investigation, according to the local emergency management authority.

China has significantly reduced coal mine fatalities, often caused by gas explosions or flooding, since the early 2000s through more stringent regulations and safer practices.

The Liushenyu incident is one of the deadliest reported in China in the past decade.

Executives of the company responsible for the mine have been detained, Xinhua reported.

Earlier the media organisation reported eight dead, with more than 200 people safely brought to the surface. It did not explain the jump in the death toll.