BEIJING — Chinese President Xi Jinping has made important instructions following a coal mine gas explosion on Friday in North China's Shanxi province, urging all-out rescue of the missing and treatment of the injured.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for proper handling of the aftermath of the accident and urged a thorough investigation into its cause, with accountability pursued in accordance with the law.

The gas explosion at the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan county of Changzhi at 7:29 pm on Friday left eight people dead. 

A total of 247 workers were underground when the accident occurred. As of 6:00 am on Saturday, 201 miners had been safely brought to the surface, with 38 people remaining trapped.

Rescue teams are currently working to rescue the missing workers, while the cause of the explosion is under investigation.

President Xi stressed that authorities across the country must learn from the accident, remain vigilant on workplace safety, and intensify efforts to identify and eliminate potential risks in order to prevent major accidents.

As China has entered its flood season, he also called for strengthened emergency preparedness and solid flood control and disaster relief measures to safeguard people's lives and property.