An unidentified relative of a miner, who was declared dead following an explosion in the mine, receives medical aid, after hearing the news, outside an Ukrainian coal mine Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2006.(Xinhua) Photo Gallery >>>

KIEV, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Thirteen miners were killed and 61 others injured when an explosion ripped through a coal mine on Wednesday in eastern Ukraine, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported citing emergency officials.

    Emergency officials said 49 miners were trapped in the Zasyadko mine in the Donetsk region when the blast occurred early Wednesday and more than 350 others working in the mine managed to crawl to safety after the explosion.

    Interfax-Ukraine said methane began to increase sharply in the air after coal miners reported a loud bang at a depth of about 1,100 meters underground.

    Operations were suspended in the mine and 56 rescue teams were mobilized for rescue efforts.

    The accident has been the fourth to hit the Zasyadko mine in seven years, according to the Itar-Tass news agency. An explosion caused by a short circuit killed 50 workers in May 1999. Fifty-five miners were killed by a methane explosion in August 2001 and 20 died in an accident in July 2002. Enditem