May 24 (Asia Today) — A gas explosion at a coal mine in China’s Shanxi Province has killed at least 82 people in what Chinese-language media described as the country’s deadliest mining accident in 17 years.

The explosion occurred at 7:29 p.m. Thursday local time in an underground tunnel at a coal mine in Qinyuan County, Changzhi City, according to Chinese and Taiwanese media reports Saturday.

The accident is the worst mining-related disaster in China since a 2009 gas explosion at a coal mine in Heilongjiang Province that killed more than 100 people.

Questions have emerged over whether local authorities initially concealed the scale of the disaster after the reported death toll sharply increased following intervention from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Earlier Friday, Qinyuan County officials said 201 of the 247 workers underground at the time of the explosion had safely escaped. Authorities initially reported eight deaths and said rescue operations were underway for 38 miners.

However, after Xi ordered a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident and accountability for those responsible, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang instructed officials to release information quickly and accurately, casualty figures surged within hours. The reported death toll briefly rose to 90 before being revised to 82.

Changzhi Mayor Chen Xiangyang said at a Friday night press conference that 82 people had died, two remained missing and 128 were injured. Of the injured, 124 suffered minor injuries, while two were seriously injured and two remained in critical condition.

Chinese-language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao said some observers questioned whether the earlier statement that 201 miners had safely escaped was inaccurate or intentionally misleading. Local outlet Huashang Bao also questioned why the reported death toll suddenly jumped from eight to 90.

A Qinyuan County official said confusion at the accident site and inaccurate staffing records from the mining company contributed to the incorrect initial figures.

Authorities said the mining company committed serious violations and that responsible officials had been detained. Search operations using robots and other equipment were continuing while investigators examined the cause of the blast.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung expressed condolences over the disaster.

Lee wrote Saturday on X, formerly Twitter, that he was deeply saddened by the large loss of life caused by the Shanxi coal mine explosion and extended condolences to the victims’ families and the Chinese people.

He also expressed hope that Chinese authorities would quickly bring the situation under control and wished a speedy recovery for those injured.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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Original Korean report: