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33 detained over Chinese mine blast killing at least 105

Chinese police have detained 33 people after a mine blast that killed at least 105 people in Shanxi Province, Xinhua reported on Friday.

The 33 are alleged to be responsible for the fatal gas explosion that ripped through the village-run Xinyao Coal Mine on Wednesday night, said Wang Qingxian, a spokesman for the provincial government.

China’s Ministry of Public Security issued an arrest warrant for the owner and manager of the mine, located in Hongtong county, Linfen city.

The authorities said they believed the colliery managers delayed in reporting the accident while they tried to mount their own rescue operations, which meant that a crucial opportunity to rescue trapped miners was missed and casualties probably increased.

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