Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of condolences to Chinese leader Xi Jinping over a deadly coal mine blast in Shanxi province.

"We were profoundly shocked by the news of the explosion at a coal mine in Shanxi Province, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of a large number of people," President Ilham Aliyev said in his letter, The Caspian Post reports, citing AZERTAC.

"On this tragic occasion, I extend my deepest condolences to you, the families and loved ones of the victims, and the friendly people of China, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan. I also wish those injured a speedy recovery," the head of state added.