More than 50 mine workers have been killed in two separate coal mine accidents in Khazakstan, and in Ukraine. One of the blasts tore through the Lenin pit near the Temirtau steel plant in the central region of Khazakstan. The complex belongs to Rotterdam based Mittal Steel. Officials said 33 people were known to have died in the accident, while eight are missing and three are said to be severely injured.

Meanwhile 13 coal miners died in a methane gas leak at a colliery in the Donbass mining region of eastern Ukraine. More than 60 other miners received medical treatment for gas inhalation. Management at the Zasyadko mine said everyone had been accounted for. Workers and their families waited near the government-owned pit for news of the casualties.

Correspondents say accidents have been frequent in Ukraine’s coal mines which suffer from lack of modern equipment, and are poorly maintained.

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