Half of miners blocked in Donetsk mine gateway brought to surface

About 600 miners out of the 1,219 that were blocked in the gateway of the Zasyadko mine (Donetsk) by a fire, have been brought up to the surface, according to the Ukrainian emergency ministry's current information.

Five miners with moderate carbon monoxide intoxication were rushed to hospital in Donetsk, centre of the Donetsk region, head of the ministry's press service Igor Krol said.

The fire in the mine started in the early hours of Monday and, according to preliminary information, was caused by a short circuit.

About 1,219 miners were in a gateway 529 meters beneath the surface when the fire arose. Now they are being brought up to the ground. Eight rescue teams are involved in the operation.

It is the second fire in the mine in a fortnight. On July 31st a mixture of methane and dust coal exploded here, killing 20 workers.

More than 180 miners have died in Ukrainian mines since the beginning of the year.