32 dead in China colliery blast

Rescuers walk out of the accident site after a gas explosion happened at the Baoma Mining Co. Ltd. in the city of Chifeng, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, in the early morning on Dec. 4, 2016. Thirty-two people have been confirmed dead in the explosion which occurred around midday on Saturday. There were a total of 181 people working underground at the time of the accident, and 149 workers managed to get above ground. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

HOHHOT, Dec. 4  -- Thirty-two people have been confirmed dead following an explosion at a coal mine in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Saturday.

The explosion happened around midday on Saturday at the Baoma Mining Co. Ltd. in the city of Chifeng. Investigation is being carried out. It has been confirmed to be a gas explosion accident.

There were a total of 181 people working underground at the time of the accident, and 149 workers managed to get above ground.

As of 4:00 a.m. Sunday, 268 policemen and 119 rescuers and medical staff had rushed to the accident site.