17 people killed in Ukraine coal mine accident

Kiev: A lethal coal mine accident in eastern Ukraine has claimed the lives of 17 people.

The incident, which was reportedly caused by methane gas explosions, occurred in the eastern region of Luhansk, which is currently under the control of pro-Russia seperatists.

Leonid Pasechnik, the head of the unrecognised Luhansk republic, said on Twitter, "The tragedy took the life of 17 miners."

Ukraine's mines are believed to be among the most dangerous in the world due to their outdated equipment and high concentration of methane levels.