Mine blast kills 17 in Ukraine

A methane blast ripped through a coal mine in eastern Ukraine early today, killing 17 miners and leaving at least 14 missing, emergency officials said. More than 150 miners were waiting to be lifted to the surface.

The explosion occurred at the Zasyadka mine in the Donetsk region at a depth of more than 3,280ft at around 3am (1am Irish time), according to a spokesman for the Emergency Situations Ministry.