A rescuer enters the accident site after a gas explosion happened at the Baoma Mining Co. Ltd. in Chifeng, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, in the early morning of Dec 4, 2016.[Photo/Xinhua]

HOHHOT - 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 am Sunday, 268 policemen and 119 rescuers and medical staff had rushed to the accident site.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.