KIEV, Ukraine (AP) -- Officials say methane has caused an explosion in a coal mine in eastern Ukraine and 26 miners have been injured.
Thursday's blast was the third mining accident in Ukraine in less than a week.
The mining industry in the ex-Soviet nation is considered one of the world's most dangerous because of outdated equipment and widespread disregard for safety regulations.
The Emergencies Ministry said Thursday's accident occurred at the Krasnokutskaya mine in the Luhansk region, leaving 5 miners hospitalized with severe burns and 21 with minor burns.
The ministry says the blast occurred at the depth of 155 meters (510 feet) after the miners switched on an electric cable hoist.
Last Friday, an explosion and an elevator collapse at two coal mines in the same region killed 37 miners.
