AFP, Beijing

A gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China has killed at least 82 people, state media reported yesterday, the country’s biggest mining disaster in 17 years.

A total of 247 workers were underground at the time of the blast, which occurred at 7:29pm on Friday at the Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi province, according to state news agency Xinhua.

At least 82 people had died and 123 others were sent to hospital for treatment, four of whom were in critical or severe condition, state broadcaster CCTV said. Two people remained missing.

Of those sent for treatment, 33 had returned home as of 2:00pm, it added.

A total of 755 emergency and medical personnel were dispatched to the site, with rescue efforts still ongoing yesterday afternoon, CCTV said.