A gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China’s Shanxi province has killed 90 people, marking the country’s deadliest mining accident in more than a decade. The incident occurred at the Liusheniu coal mine in Changzhi city on Friday evening around 7:30 p.m. local time. At the time of the explosion, 247 workers were inside the mine. By Saturday morning, at least 201 workers had been rescued, while nine others remained missing.

According to state broadcaster CCTV, rescue operations are still underway, and the number of casualties is being verified. The state news agency Xinhua reported that carbon monoxide levels inside the mine had dangerously exceeded safety limits before the explosion. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered a full-scale rescue effort and called for a thorough investigation into the incident, instructing that those responsible be held legally accountable.