Ukraine tries to stem coal mine deaths

The Ukrainian government will inspect all coal mines in the country in a bid to improve safety standards and avoid further deaths. The newly-elected Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko has also announced a financial audit of the coal mining industry.

The effort is meant to give a clear picture of how state funds are spent and eliminate unlawful financial practices.

Lack of finance, as well as outdated and poorly maintained infrastructure, have been blamed for the poor safety record.

The two most recent blasts, which took place in the city of Donetsk last November, left more than one hundred miners dead.