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Fears grow for Ukrainian miners Fears grow for Ukrainian miners
(about 1 hour later)
Rescuers are fighting to save some 35 Ukrainian miners trapped deep underground after an explosion that killed at least 63 others. Rescuers are searching for some 35 Ukrainian miners trapped deep underground after a blast that killed at least 65 others, officials say.
A massive rescue operation is under way, but a fire and damaged ventilation systems are hindering rescuers. But fires are hindering rescue efforts in the Zasyadko mine in the eastern Donetsk region.
A mine union chief has played down the chances of finding many miners alive.A mine union chief has played down the chances of finding many miners alive.
Sunday's blast, caused by a build up of methane gas, occurred more than 1,000m (3,280ft) below ground in the Zasyadko mine in the eastern Donetsk region. Sunday's blast, caused by a build-up of methane gas, occurred more than 1,000m (3,280ft) below ground in what was one of Ukraine's worst accidents in years.
Hundreds of frantic relatives rushed to the mine in search of their loved ones after the explosion. Hundreds of desperate relatives rushed to the mine after hearing the news.
Rescue teams were still at work and the fire was localised, Ukrainian deputy prime minister Andrei Klyuyev told the Reuters news agency. There was a bang, the temperature surged, and [there was] thick dust. You could see absolutely nothing Vitali KvitkovskiZasyadko miner
At least 360 of the more than 450 miners who were below ground when the explosion happened at 0300 (0100 GMT) have now been rescued, emergency officials said. As grim-faced mine officials later emerged to announce the names of the victims, many in the crowd began weeping and several fainted.
Some 28 of those rescued were taken to hospital, many suffering from methane inhalation. Local authorities have now declared three days of mourning for the blast's victims.
Ukraine's emergencies situations ministry says 63 people have died, and 35 are unaccounted for. Methane inhalation
But the chances are small of finding many more of the miners alive, the head of the mine's trade union, Yuriy Zayats, said. At least 360 of the more than 450 miners who were below ground when the explosion happened at 0300 (0100 GMT) have now been rescued, emergency officials say.
Cave-in
The country's Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych travelled on Sunday to the scene of the accident, one of Ukraine's worst mining disasters in recent years.
In pictures: Deadly blastIn pictures: Deadly blast
One survivor described how he had to clamber over his dead colleagues along rail tracks to escape from the mine.
Some 28 miners are now being treated in hospitals, many suffering from methane inhalation.
Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych travelled on Sunday to the scene of the accident.
He told reporters there had been a cave-in at the accident site, and that fire and smoke were also obstructing rescuers.He told reporters there had been a cave-in at the accident site, and that fire and smoke were also obstructing rescuers.
He also said a safety watchdog had reported that miners were working in accordance with regulations.He also said a safety watchdog had reported that miners were working in accordance with regulations.
"This accident has proven once again that a human is powerless before the nature," Mr Yanukovych said, according to the Associated Press news agency."This accident has proven once again that a human is powerless before the nature," Mr Yanukovych said, according to the Associated Press news agency.
President Viktor Yushchenko, a longstanding rival of Yanukovych, announced plans to visit Donetsk on Monday. President Viktor Yushchenko announced plans to visit Donetsk on Monday.
His office quoted him as saying that the government had "made insufficient efforts to reorganise the mining sector, particularly the implementation of safe mining practices," Reuters reported. His office quoted him as saying that the government had "made insufficient efforts to reorganise the mining sector, particularly the implementation of safe mining practices".
An investigation into the blast is under way.An investigation into the blast is under way.
Poor recordPoor record
As fears grew, relatives gathered at the mine entrance trying to find news of their men.As fears grew, relatives gathered at the mine entrance trying to find news of their men.
"I've come here to collect my grandson," one woman told Reuters."I've come here to collect my grandson," one woman told Reuters.
"I accompanied him to work yesterday. Now I want to take him home.""I accompanied him to work yesterday. Now I want to take him home."
An official read aloud the surnames of those confirmed dead, to the anguished cries of relatives.An official read aloud the surnames of those confirmed dead, to the anguished cries of relatives.
One miner, Vitali Kvitkovski, told the BBC that just before the explosion, he had checked his instruments and the methane levels seemed normal.One miner, Vitali Kvitkovski, told the BBC that just before the explosion, he had checked his instruments and the methane levels seemed normal.
"I was walking to the coal layer. There was a bang, the temperature surged, and [there was] thick dust. You could see absolutely nothing," Mr Kvitkovski said."I was walking to the coal layer. There was a bang, the temperature surged, and [there was] thick dust. You could see absolutely nothing," Mr Kvitkovski said.
Three days of mourning have reportedly been declared by the head of the regional administration.Three days of mourning have reportedly been declared by the head of the regional administration.
Ukraine's coal mines are among the most dangerous in the world, with a high number of fatal accidents.Ukraine's coal mines are among the most dangerous in the world, with a high number of fatal accidents.
Miners' pay varies according to the volume of coal produced, giving them an incentive to ignore safety procedures that would slow production, one union official said.Miners' pay varies according to the volume of coal produced, giving them an incentive to ignore safety procedures that would slow production, one union official said.
Anatoly Akimochkin told AFP most disasters were caused by concentrations of methane, which can occur suddenly.Anatoly Akimochkin told AFP most disasters were caused by concentrations of methane, which can occur suddenly.
In September 2006 a gas leak at the Zasyadko coal mine, one of Ukraine's largest, killed 13 miners and injured dozens more. In September 2006, a gas leak at the Zasyadko coal mine, one of Ukraine's largest, killed 13 miners and injured dozens more.
Have you been caught up in events? Are you in the area? We would like to hear from you.Have you been caught up in events? Are you in the area? We would like to hear from you.
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