Two Mine Explosions Kill 12 In Romania

November 16, 2008 9:08 a.m. EST

Bucharest, Romania (AHN) - At least 12 miners were killed and around eight other people injured in two gas explosions in a coal mine in southwestern Romania, the local officials said.

Among the eight dead people were four emergency workers who went to help the miners in the first blast at the mine in the town of Petrila on Saturday afternoon, according to Interior Minister Cristian David.

At least eight others are being treated for serious burns from this blast, which occurred at around 3 p.m. local time at a depth of 950 meters (3,116 ft) due to a high concentration of methane gas, the local reports said.

The second explosion was reported four hours later, killing three rescuers who went to save others and to bring out the bodies of the miners.

The latest incident is considered as one of the country's worst mine accidents reported since 2006.

Two years ago around seven miners were killed in a blast, while 14 people were killed in an explosion in a mine in 2001.

In 1980, 53 miners were killed in a gas blast at the Livezeni mine in Jiu Valley of Hunedoara, according to the local reports.

Romania draws most of its revenues from the mining sector, which employees around half a million residents.

The Petrila mine in the coal-rich Jiu Valley produces 390,000 tons of coal annually and employees around 1,490 workers.