An explosion ripped through a coal mine in the Slovakian town of Handlova on Monday killing six people. Another 14 missing miners were probably dead, Economics Minister Lubomir Jahnatek was quoted as saying by the German News Agency "DPA". The minister said six miners' bodies had been retrieved and that the 14 miners who had been trapped for several hours had no chance of survival. The minister, whose office is responsible for mining operations, told a news conference earlier Monday that nine injured miners were rescued. A spokesman for the mine operators told the television news channel TA3 that the missing men included members of a rescue team that had been sent into the mine to put out a fire. While they were trying to fight the blaze an explosion erupted 330 metres underground, trapping the men. Experts believe the blast was caused by a leak of methane gas. Prime Minister Robert Fico said the government would meet Tuesday to declare a period of national mourning.
