Eleven die in mine explosions in Romania

The Romanian prime minister said eight coal miners and three rescue workers have died in two explosions in the south-western region of the country.

Calin Popescu Tariceanu said the explosion that killed the miners in the coal-rich Jiu Valley occurred this afternoon at a depth of 800 feet.

Later, three rescue workers died in a second explosion.

Mine officials say the explosions are believed to have been caused by an accumulation of methane gas.

Eight injured miners are being treated for burns.

Officials say about 100 miners were working at the time of the first explosion

The mine in Petrila in the Jiu Valley employs about 1,500 miners.