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Eleven die in Ukraine mine blast Gas leak kills 13 in Ukraine mine
(about 3 hours later)
At least 11 miners have been killed in an explosion at a coalmine in eastern Ukraine, officials have said. At least 13 miners have been killed after a deadly gas leak at a coal mine in eastern Ukraine, officials say.
Ten miners were injured and 28 others were missing after the blast ripped through the Zasiadko mine in Donetsk. They say more than 60 other miners were injured in the accident at the Zasiadko mine in Donetsk.
Ukraine's emergencies ministry said the explosion was caused by a mixture of coal dust and methane at a depth of more than 1,000m (3,300ft) underground. Ukraine's emergencies ministry said "an unexpected eruption of a coal and gas mixture" happened at a depth of more than 1,000m (3,300ft) underground.
Ukraine has one of the world's worst mining death rates due to severe under funding and poor safety standards. Ukraine had some of the world's most dangerous mines, many of which date to Soviet times.
The blast occurred at about 0510 local time (0210 GMT) on Wednesday morning, Ukraine's emergencies ministry spokesman Ihor Krol said. The sector is considered to be under-funded and have poor safety standards.
The bodies of 11 miners were found, and rescuers were still searching for the 28 still missing, officials said. The accident happened at about 0510 local time (0210 GMT) on Wednesday morning, Ukraine's emergencies ministry spokesman Ihor Krol said.
Several of the injured miners suffered severe burns and were taken to hospital. The bodies of 13 miners were found by rescue teams, officials said. Many of the injured were taken to hospital.
About 400 miners were working in the mine at the time of the blast. Most of them have been evacuated and work halted.About 400 miners were working in the mine at the time of the blast. Most of them have been evacuated and work halted.
Ukrainian officials said that the rescue operation was now over.
They also denied earlier media reports that a blast was the cause of the accident.
The Zasiadko mine - one of Ukraine's biggest - has a reputation as one of the most deadly.The Zasiadko mine - one of Ukraine's biggest - has a reputation as one of the most deadly.
In 2002, a methane blast killed 20 miners there. A similar explosion a year earlier left more than 50 miners dead.In 2002, a methane blast killed 20 miners there. A similar explosion a year earlier left more than 50 miners dead.
In 1999, 50 people were killed in a blast at the mine.In 1999, 50 people were killed in a blast at the mine.
More than 4,000 miners have been killed in accidents since Ukraine became independent in 1991.More than 4,000 miners have been killed in accidents since Ukraine became independent in 1991.