Miners Killed in Ukraine Mine Explosion

摘要

A methane blast ripped through a coal mine in eastern Ukraine on November 18, killing at least 63 miners in the ex-Soviet nation's worst mining accident in years, the Associated Press reported. More than 360 miners were rescued but 37 others remained trapped inside the mine--one of Ukraine's largest and deepest--with a raging fire hampering efforts to save them. The explosion occurred around 3 a.m. more than 3,300 feet deep inside the Zasyadko mine in the regional capital Donetsk. Authorities evacuated 367 miners and 28 were hospitalized. The accident, the worst in Ukraine in seven years, highlighted the lack of attention to safety in a country with some of the world's most dangerous mines. According to experts, Ukraine's mines are dangerous largely because they are so deep, typically running more than 3,200 ft underground. In comparison, most U.S. coal beds lie at depth of 600 to 1,200 ft. More than 75 percent of Ukraine's some 200 coal mines are classified as dangerous due to high methane concentrations. Mines must be ventilated to prevent explosions, but some rely on outdated ventilation equipment. Safety violations and negligence add to the problem.