Minister of the Coal Industry Viktor Poltavets of Ukraine

Viktor Poltavets said at the session of the Cabinet.

were unable to go to the area where the miners were trapped.

Minister of Coal Industry Viktor Poltavets is already there.

Coal Industry Minister Viktor Poltavets said rescue teams were unable to go to the area where the miners were trapped.

Coal Industry Minister Viktor Poltavets said rescue workers were trying to restore at least one of the shafts.

Rescue workers have begun trying to get to the trapped miners, Coal Industry Minister Viktor Poltavets said in televised remarks.

Speaking on Russia Today television, Coal Industry Minister Viktor Poltavets says the explosion occurred during maintenance work at the 110-year-old mine.

Minister Poltavets says rescuers were unable to reach the workers, after unmanned gondolas got stuck about half way down the mine.