A gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China's Shanxi province killed at least 82 people on Friday evening, according to state media.

The blast occurred at 7:29 p.m. local time at the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan county near Changzhi city. A total of 247 workers were underground at the time, Xinhua news agency reported.

Rescue efforts continued into Saturday as officials worked to account for those still missing. Some reports indicated the death toll had risen further overnight.

Chinese President Xi Jinping directed an all-out search and rescue operation following the incident. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the explosion, which state media described as a gas blast.

Shanxi province is a major coal-producing region in China. The accident ranks among the deadliest mining disasters in the country in recent years.

Initial reports on Saturday morning cited eight deaths before the toll climbed rapidly as rescuers recovered more bodies. Emergency teams remain at the site.