KUNMING - Police said Friday they have detained one of the three foremen who hired miners for work in an illegal coal mine where a fatal explosion occurred Thursday.

Two miners were killed and 16 others were injured in the explosion at the mine in southwest China's Yunnan Province.

The foremen fled after the accident occurred at 4:20 am Thursday in Yuzhu Village, Zongshi County, police said.

None of the injured are in a life-threatening condition, said sources from Xiandai and Renhe hospitals in Zongshi.