Kiev, April 11 (IANS): At least seven people were killed in a blast that ripped through a coal mine in Donetsk in Ukraine's eastern region Friday, authorities said.
The explosion took place at around 6.30 a.m. (4.30 GMT) when a large amount of methane gas got ignited at the Scotchynsky mine in Donetsk city, Xinhua reported citing the country's mine safety authorities.
A total of 78 miners were in the mine when the explosion occurred 1,300 metres below the surface.
There was no immediate report about how many workers were injured.
Operations at the mine were suspended and investigation into the accident is underway.