At least 90 people have been killed in a devastating gas explosion at a coal mine in China’s Shanxi province. The accident occurred on Friday at the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan County. China’s state-run news agency, Xinhua, reported that 247 workers were inside the mine at the time of the explosion. This news was reported by Al Jazeera Online.

Rescue operations commenced immediately following the blast. Rescue teams are currently continuing their search for survivors. This incident is believed to be one of the deadliest mining accidents in China in the last decade. Preliminary reports indicate that a carbon monoxide warning was issued within the mine shortly before the explosion occurred. Several sources claim that gas levels inside the mine had risen significantly above safe limits. China’s state television network, CGTN, reported that the official in charge of the mine has been detained.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion. Shanxi province is renowned as China’s primary coal-mining region. Last year alone, more than one billion tons of coal were extracted from this province—accounting for approximately one-third of the country’s total output. China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of coal; however, due to lax safety standards, mismanagement, and corruption, the country’s coal mines are widely regarded as among the most hazardous in the world.