International briefs: Ukraine

THE number of people killed in two separate accidents in Ukrainian coal mines rose to 25 after a seventh body was recovered at a coal mine near the town of Makiyivka in the Donetsk region, the Interfax news agency reported yesterday.

Four more people were still reported missing at the state-owned coal mine near Makiyivka, where a piece of heavy machinery collapsed early on Friday.

An explosion in a mine in the Luhansk region, also on Friday, killed at least 18 people, according to local news agencies.

The accident became the deadliest since 2007, and has raised yet more concerns over the standards of safety throughout the Ukrainian coal industry.

It is believed to be one of the world's most dangerous because of outdated equipment and disregard for safety regulations.