19 Miners Trapped In Slovak Coal Mine Explosion

A coal mine explosion that may have been caused by gas has trapped 19 miners and injured 9 others at the Handlova mine in Slovakia.

An explosion at a coal mine in northern Slovakia trapped 19 miners and injured 9 others on Monday, according to a statement released by a spokesman for the mining company. The explosion occurred at the Handlova mine located about 120 northeast of the country's capital of Bratislava. Contact was lost with the trapped miners at 9:30 a.m. local time, and as of this time has not been restored. The nine injured miners are thought to have only minor injuries, and have been treated at local hospitals. The blast at the mining location may be attributable to an accumulation of gases prior to the explosion. Earlier in the day, there was a fire in an older shaft of the same mining operation. Telephone and mining sensors have been rendered inoperable due to the explosion, and the condition of the trapped miners is unknown. According to sources within the Slovakian government, Prime Minister Robert Fico is en route to the site.