Rescuers retrieved most of the 247 workers who were underground during blast in northern Shanxi province, in country's worst mining disaster in 17 years

A gas explosion at a coal mine in China's northern province of Shanxi killed at least 82 people, state media reported Saturday.

The explosion took place at 19:29 local time on Friday at a coal mine in northern China.

A gas explosion at a coal mine in China’s northern province of Shanxi killed at least 82 people, state media reported.

The blast in Shanxi province constitutes the country's worst mining disaster in 17 years.

Xi Jinping ordered all-out rescue efforts after a gas explosion at a Shanxi coal mine killed eight people and left 38 trapped underground. The directive was accompanied by orders for a thorough investigation, legal accountability and timely release of information.

A gas explosion in a Shanxi coal mine in China kills 82, with ongoing rescue efforts for trapped miners.