Ukraine coal mine blast traps 43

More than 40 miners were trapped in a coal mine in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday when a mixture of coal powder and methane exploded, a spokesman for the emergencies ministry said.

Ihor Krol said the incident occurred at around 0200 GMT at Zasyadko mine in the Donetsk coal basin. "Altogether 43 miners have been trapped. Their fate remains unknown," he said.