17 die in Chinese coal mine explosion

Beijing (dpa) – The death toll from a coal mine explosion in

 northern China rose to 17, state media reported Saturday.

    The explosion at the Liugou coal mine in Linfen city in the

 northern province of Shanxi, injured 75 people, the semi-official

 China News Service reported.

    An initial investigation showed the blast was caused by explosives

 hidden in a dormitory area, and one suspect was detained by police,

 the report said.

    Rescue work was still underway.

 Last year, 2,631 people died in coal-mine accidents nationwide,

 the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety reported.