The death toll from Monday morning's coal mine explosion had risen to 37 in the northern province of Shanxi as of 2 pm yesterday. Rescue workers were searching for five miners, who authorities fear died in the blast.

　　Officials in the city of Datong, where the mine is located, yesterday ordered all local coal mines to suspend operations and undergo safety inspection and rectification.

　　Also yesterday, two work safety supervisors of the Xing'ergou Coal Mine who were on duty at the time of the accident were detained for questioning.

　　Meanwhile, others involved in the mine operations were waiting to be questioned.

　　Only one miner apparently survived the accident.

　　Officials said yesterday rescuers had approached the blast spot, but the five missing miners were probably buried in the last cave-in area. Chances of them surviving were "very slim," according to Xinhua news agency.

　　The explosion occurred at about 6:40 am when 43 miners were working in the Xing'ergou colliery.

　　Rescue workers discovered 14 miners early in the rescue efforts and rushed them to a hospital. However, all but one died.

　　Another 24 bodies were recovered from underground later.

　　An investigation into the cause of the explosion is under way, officials said.

　　A total of 220 miners were working at the mine before the explosion.

　　The accident was the latest in an industry that has gained a reputation as China's deadliest despite continuing government promises to improve safety.

　　The central government decided in recent years to detain company officials after major mine accidents so they do not flee during investigations.