September 07, 2008

Ukraine mine blast kills 63

It is reported that a methane explosion ripped through Zasyadko coalmine in Ukraine's Donbass area on Sunday, killing at least 63 miners and leaving 37 missing in underground shafts engulfed by fire and smoke. The blast happened more than 1,000 meters underground.

Officials said 457 miners were underground at the time of accident. Rescue teams brought more than 350 to the surface.

Mr Yuri Zayats head of Zasyadko's trade union council said that there is little hope of finding the missing alive. He said "The chances are small. They are poor.”

The Zasyadko mine, one of Ukraine's largest, produces up to 10,000 tons of coal every day. But several deadly accidents took place in the coal mine. A gas leak at the Zasyadko mine in September 2006 killed 13 miners. In 1999 an explosion there claimed 50 lives, while in 2001 another blast claimed 55 lives.

Experts say Ukraine's mines are dangerous largely because they are so deep, typically running more than 3,280 feet underground. In comparison, most European coal beds lie at a depth of 1,640 feet to 1,970 feet. Methane is a natural byproduct of mining, and its concentration increases with depth. More than 75% 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 Mines must be ventilated to prevent explosions, but some rely on outdated ventilation equipment, officials said. Safety violations and negligence add to the problem.

According to official data, since the 1991, more than 4,700 miners in Ukraine have been killed. For every 1 million tons of coal brought to the surface in Ukraine, three miners lose their lives.