UPDATE 2-China's Xi orders rescue efforts after Shanxi coal mine blast kills 8, traps 38

By early Saturday, ⁠201 ​people had been brought to the surface, along with the eight dead, and rescue operations ⁠were ongoing and the cause of the accident was under ⁠investigation, according to ⁠local emergency management authorityat Qinyuan.

Chinese ​President Xi Jinping has ordered ​all-out rescue ‌efforts after ​a gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China's Shanxi ‌province killed eight people and left 38 trapped underground, state media reported on Saturday.

The gas explosion occurred late ‌Friday at the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan county, ‌with 247 workers on duty underground, state media Xinhua reported. Xi 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.

Premier Li Qiang echoed the instructions, calling for ⁠timely and accurate release of information and rigorous accountability. By early Saturday, ⁠201 ​people had been brought to the surface, along with the eight dead, and rescue operations ⁠were ongoing and the cause of the accident was under ⁠investigation, according to ⁠local emergency management authorityat Qinyuan.