KEY POINTS:
DONETSK - At least 33 miners were killed in a methane explosion at a Ukrainian colliery yesterday and the fate of dozens more is uncertain.
The BBC Online reported that the blast, caused by a build-up of methane gas, occurred more than 1km below ground in the Zasyadko mine in the eastern Donetsk region.
More than 450 miners were below ground when the explosion happened, emergency officials said.
About 350 miners had been rescued - at least 20 had been taken to hospital.
Officials said 33 bodies had been found and rescue workers were searching for more than 70 miners who were unaccounted for.
Miners' family members had gathered at the site trying to find news of their men.
Ukraine's coal mines are among the most dangerous in the world with a high number of fatalities from accidents.
- Reuters, BBC Online
