SHIJIAZHUANG -- Three people, including the owner of an iron mine, have been detained by police over a coverup of a mine accident that left three people dead in North China's Hebei province last week, local authorities said on Monday.

A roof collapsed at around 11 pm on Feb 26 at an illegal iron mine in Jianming township, Zunhua city, according to a statement from the city government.

The mine owner and another two people who were believed to be responsible for the accident have been detained, it said.

Further investigation in under way.