More than 800 detonators were stolen from a coal mine in northwest China's Gansu Province Monday morning.

The detonators were stolen from the Dahe Coal Mine in Minle County, Zhangye City, at around 7:00 AM, provincial authorities said in a statement.

The stolen detonators are dangerous and pose a threat to society, said a Gansu official who declined to be named.

Detonators are used in mines to ignite explosives.

Police are investigating the case.

(Xinhua News Agency September 28, 2010)