Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday urged all-out rescue efforts and treatment of the injured, after a coal mine gas explosion in north China's Shanxi Province.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for proper handling of the aftermath of the accident and demanded a thorough investigation into its cause, with accountability pursued in accordance with the law.
The gas explosion occurred underground on Friday at Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan County, resulting in heavy casualties.
Xi stressed that authorities across the country must draw lessons from the accident, remain vigilant on workplace safety, and intensify efforts to identify and eliminate potential risks in order to prevent major accidents.
With the country entering its flood season, Xi also called for strengthened emergency preparedness, as well as solid flood control and disaster relief measures to safeguard lives and property.
The gas explosion occurred at 19:29 on Friday, with 247 workers on duty underground. The death toll from the accident rose to 90 as of 14:00 on Saturday.
Local authorities are providing on-site directions on response efforts, which are still underway, while the cause of the accident is under investigation.
The rescued workers have been transferred to hospitals for treatment. The Qinyuan County People's Hospital, the closest health center to the coal mine, has received 23 of the injured, of which only one is seriously injured. Other rescued workers have been sent to different hospitals in the nearby Changzhi City according to the severity of their injuries.
The rescue headquarters noted on Saturday that a person responsible for the company involved in the gas explosion has been placed under control in accordance with the law.
Xi urges all-out rescue efforts after coal mine accident in north China
