Mine owners detained over roof collapse accident

XI'AN - Police in Northwest China's Shaanxi province have detained the head and his deputy of a coal mine where a roof collapse trapped 16 people underground on Thursday, local publicity official said late Saturday.

Wang Zhiping, head of the Ruifeng Colliery, and his deputy Wen Suoyin were detained by police for suspected crime of major responsibility accident. Vice board chairman Li Junshan has been under police custody.

A total of 96 miners were working underground when the roof of Ruifeng Coal Mine, in Fugu County, collapsed at around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. Eighty miners were lifted out of the mine after the accident, while 16 others were trapped underground.

Rescuers have pulled 15 miners out of the mine and continued to search for the last one.

Most of the rescued miners suffer minor injuries and have been sent to a local hospital. They are all in a stable condition.

Local authorities earlier said 18 people were trapped underground and made the correction on Friday.

The mine is having equipment installed and has not yet obtained a production license from the authorities.

An investigation into the accident is underway.