The death toll from Friday's gas explosion at the Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi province has risen to 90, with rescue teams continuing to search for survivors and treat the injured.
Initial reports after the blast at the Tongzhou Group mine indicated eight fatalities, but the toll has since climbed sharply to 90. At the time of the explosion late Friday, 247 workers were underground. Survivor accounts describe sudden thick smoke filling the tunnels. President Xi Jinping has ordered a full investigation and treatment for all injured. Mine officials have been detained as authorities probe the cause.
