At least 90 people were killed in a devastating coal mine explosion in China’s Shanxi province, marking one of the country’s deadliest mining disasters since 2009.

The explosion occurred on Friday evening in Changzhi, a major coal-producing city in northern China, according to state media reports.

China Central Television (CCTV) reported that 247 workers were underground at the time of the blast. Rescue teams rushed to the site shortly after the explosion, while emergency services continued search and recovery operations through the night. Many workers were trapped beneath the surface as thick smoke and debris complicated rescue efforts.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the explosion, though initial reports suggest a gas-related blast may have triggered the tragedy.

Investigations have already begun, and local officials have pledged to determine whether safety violations or negligence contributed to the incident.

Coal mining remains one of the most dangerous industries in China despite years of government efforts to improve workplace safety. 

Shanxi province, known as the heart of China’s coal industry, has witnessed several fatal mining accidents over the past decades.