Eight people were killed and five others injured when an iron ore mine collapsed in China's southeastern province of Fujian.
The cave-in occurred at around 1:30 p.m. local time (0530 GMT) on Friday in Peifeng Township of Yongding County, the Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.
Police said they had detained one of the mine's three owners, who had fled after having tried to cover up the accident.
Investigators said the mine was being operated illegally and a probe into the cause of the accident was under way.
Steep rises in iron ore prices over the past several years have encouraged the development of mines with marginal ore quality and minimal safety standards in China.
China's mining industry is the most dangerous in the world. According to official figures, more than 2,600 miners were killed in accidents in 2009.
But independent labor groups say the figure could be much higher, as accidents are covered up to prevent mine closures.
The Chinese government has shut down hundreds of mines this year as part of efforts to improve safety standards.
Mining safety rules have often been ignored in favor of profit, as the economy has boomed.
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