Ukraine coal mine accident kills 13

DONETSK, Ukraine, Sep 20 (Reuters) A sudden release of gas in a colliery killed 13 miners and injured more than 60 today in the heart of eastern Ukraine's Donbass coalfield, officials said.

Ukraine's Emergencies Ministry said search operations had concluded at the Zasyadko mine in Donetsk, the centre of the coalfield, where the incident occurred at just over 1,000 metres (3,300 feet) below the surface.

Initial reports said the miners died in an explosion, but deputy prime minister Andriy Klyuev said no blast had occurred.

''There was a release of gas, a large quantity. All the safety equipment kicked in immediately and that is probably why there was no explosion or fire,'' Klyuev told reporters.

''All the deaths are from gas poisoning. There were no physical injuries.'' A ministry spokeswoman had earlier put the death toll at 13, with all other miners brought to the surface. Officials said more than 60 miners were hurt, most suffering from gas inhalation.

The incident occurred at about 5 a.m., when 400 miners were underground, at least 40 at close proximity to the leak.

Accidents are frequent in Ukraine's coal mines, which are plagued by a lack of cash and poor maintenance. Experts say large concentrations of gas collect in the deepest parts of coal mines.

In August 2001, more than 50 miners died in a blast at the Zasyadko mine. A similar blast at the mine in July 2002 killed more than 20.

In post-Soviet Ukraine's largest pit accident, 80 miners died in March 2000 in a coal dust explosion at a colliery near the eastern town of Luhansk.

REUTERS SSC BS1756