Suspects detained over mine explosion

People suspected of being responsible for Saturday's coal mine explosion that killed 32 people in Chifeng, in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, have been detained, according to authorities.

In addition, local officials in charge of work safety, as well as supervising officials at the state level responsible for the area, have been suspended from their duties and will be punished depending on the findings of an investigation into the incident, Yang Huanning, minister of the State Administration of Work Safety, said on Sunday.

Work-safety authorities at all levels must reflect deeply and take strong action to ensure the safety of coal mines, he said in an emergency videoconference on Sunday.