25 Dead in Ukraine Mining Accidents

Two separate incidents highlight safety lapses
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jul 30, 2011 6:22 AM CDT
Ukraine Mining Accidents: 25 Dead in Two Separate Incidents
A rescuer prepares his equipment at Sukhodolskaya-Vostochnaya coal mine in Lugansk region, Ukraine, Friday, July 29, 2011.   (Photomig)

Rescue workers have found five more bodies at two Ukrainian coal mines where accidents occurred, raising the death toll to 25. Twelve other miners remain missing. The accidents in the eastern region shocked the country and highlighted the dangers of the nation's mining industry. It is believed to be one of the world's most dangerous because of outdated equipment and disregard for safety regulations.

The government said today that yesterday's pre-dawn blast at the Suhodilska-Eastern mine in the Luhansk region killed 18 workers, including one body found today. Investigators suspect the accident was caused by a methane explosion. In the Donetsk region, rescue workers at the site of an elevator collapse found four more bodies today, raising the death toll there to seven. (More Ukraine stories.)

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