China’s worst coal mining blast in over a decade kills 82 | CNN

A gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China has killed at least 82 people, according to state media, the country’s deadliest mining disaster in more than a decade. Rescue efforts are still underway nearly a day after the blast took place, according to state broadcaster CCTV, with emergency teams descending into the Liushenyu coal mine to search for any workers trapped beneath the ground. The blast happened some 300 meters below ground, according to CCTV. In the aftermath, the explosion site is reported to have filled with water and debris from broken walls. Rescuers are bringing water pipes and kayaks to climb down and access the scene. But their attempts have been complicated by the fact the underground map provided by the coal mining company and distributed among rescue teams does not match the actual underground condition, state-run Beijing News reported. This has meant rescuers have to search all the tunnels rather than targeting a specific location. Underground workers are also required to carry a personal GPS tracker, Beijing News reported, but some workers did not have their device with them at the time of the explosion. Nearly 250 people were working underground at t