Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday asked for maximum effort in the search for survivors of an oil pipeline blast that killed at least 35 in East China's Shandong Province.

Xi asked local authorities to spare no effort to rescue the injured, find the cause of the accident and strengthen safety.

Premier Li Keqiang also urged local authorities to improve inspection and supervision and make sure safety procedures are followed.

With the authority of Xi and Li, a team led by State Councilor Wang Yong has been dispatched to direct rescue work.

The death toll stood at 35 and another 166 were listed as injured by 5:40 pm.

A leaking pipeline caught fire and exploded on Friday morning in the coastal city of Qingdao in Shandong Province. The fire has been extinguished and the pipeline closed.