AN ACCIDENT at a mine in central Serbia has killed eight people and injured 18, authorities said today.

The incident in the Soko colliery occurred shortly after 4am and officials said an investigation is under way to determine exactly what happened.

“Inspectors, police and all relevant authorities are at the scene, doing what is necessary to determine the cause of this tragedy,” said Mining and Energy Minister Zorana Mihailovic.

Ms Mihailovic visited the site, expressing condolences to the families of the victims and promising state help.

State-run RTS television and other local media reported that the accident had happened when part of the mine collapsed, releasing the methane gas and trapping the workers.

According to mine manager Drago Milinkovic, initial information suggested that methane gas had quickly entered the mining area.
 
“Security measures are at the highest level in the coal mine,” he said. “But this time, there was a sudden release of methane and the monitoring and the equipment that were in place did not help.”