Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko has announced the closure of the country's Zasyadko coal mine, which was hit by a third explosion in two weeks over the weekend.
Five miners died and 66 were left injured after an explosion at the mine on Sunday which followed a smaller blast on Saturday.
A methane explosion at the mine two weeks ago claimed the lives of 101 mine workers, declared the country's worst mining accident.
Yushchenko has called for the mine to be closed immediately until the causes of the accidents are investigated, writes Reuters.
The region produces six million tonnes of coking coal annually.
By Ahsanul Islam
