(18 Nov 2007) HEADLINE: Dozens killed in Ukraine mine blast
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CAPTION: Emergency officials in Ukraine say the death toll from a methane explosion in a coal mine has reached at least 63. Officials say more than 360 miners were rescued, but more than three dozen are still trapped in the mine. (Nov. 18)
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[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE]
A METHANE BLAST THAT RIPPED THROUGH THIS COAL MINE IN EASTERN UKRAINE --- KILLING DOZENS IN THE COUNTRY'S WORST MINING ACCIDENT IN YEARS.
THIS RESCUED MINE WORKER IS ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES.
[Notes:NATS SOUND UP]
(ANCHOR READS THIS)
'I WAS WALKING TO THE COAL LAYER, HE SAYS. THERE WAS A BANG, THE TEMPERATURE SURGED. YOU COULD SEE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.'
[Notes:VO--SHOTS OF MINE]
HUNDREDS OF MINERS WERE RESCUED, BUT DOZENS MORE REMAINED TRAPPED.
TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE -- A FIRE IN THE MINE HAS BEEN HAMPERING EFFORTS TO SAVE THEM.
THE EXPLOSION OCCURED DURING THE EARLY MORNING HOURS -- MORE THAN 3000 FEET DOWN.
THE MINE IS LOCATED IN THE HEART OF UKRAINE'S COAL REGION.
[Notes:VO--SHOTS OF RELATIVES]
DOZENS OF EMOTIONAL RELATIVES GATHERED AT THE MINES HEADQUARTERS --WAITING FOR NEWS OF THEIR LOVED ONES.
(NATS UP)
(ANCHOR READS THIS)
THIS WOMAN WHO THOUGHT HER HUSBAND MIGHT BE TRAPPED IN THE MINE SAID SHE WOULD NEVER FORGIVE THE MINE DIRECTOR IF HER HUSBAND WAS KILLED.
[Notes:VO--- PRESIDENT YUSCHENKO]
PRESIDENT VIKTOR YUSHCHENKO (yoo-SHEHN-koe) ORDERED AN INVESTIGATION AND BLAMED HIS CABINET FOR NOT DOING ENOUGH TO REFORM COAL MINING
MEANWHILE -- LOCAL AUTHORITIES DECLARED THREE DAYS OF MOURNING.
[Notes:VO--SHOTS OF MINE]
HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF METHANE COMBINED WITH SAFETY VIOLATIONS AND NEGLECT MAKE UKRAINE'S MINES AMONG THE DEADLIEST IN THE WORLD.
THE MINE ACCIDENT WAS THE COUNTRY'S DEADLIEST SINCE MARCH, 2000 -- WHEN AN EXPLOSION AT AT DIFFERENT MINE KILLED MORE THAN 80 MINERS.
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