A gas explosion at the Liushenyu Coal Mine in Qinyuan County, north China's Shanxi Province, has left heavy casualties, local authorities said on Saturday. The accident occurred at 7:29 p.m. on Friday while 247 miners were working underground.

Rescue operations are ongoing as emergency teams race to reach those still trapped. The cause is under investigation.

As of 1 p.m., the death toll had risen to over 82. Earlier in the day, CGTN reporter Hu Chao reported live from the scene.