The manager of a coal mine in Ningwu County, north China's Shanxi Province was detained by police on Saturday after 13 miners were killed in a gas blast.

 

Local officials told Xinhua Saturday evening that the manager Dang Liangrong has been detained and the bank account of the mine has been frozen.

 

The explosion took place at Niuxinhui Coal Mine at about 2:00 PM Friday when 30 miners were working underground, said Tan Shengwang, head of the county's work safety administration.

 

The accident killed 11 people on the spot and injured another 11, with the remaining eight escaping from the scene. Two of the wounded died later en route to a local hospital, Tan said.

 

The coal mine is a licensed one, which is undertaking an expansion project approved by the provincial coal industry authorities.

 

An investigation team has been set up to find out the cause of the blast.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 14, 2007)