KIEV, March 2 - Six Ukrainian coal miners are missing after an explosion hit a small unauthorized coal mine in Yenakiyevo, the Donetsk region, on Wednesday, the Emergency Situations Ministry reported Friday.

The accident happened at an abandoned coal mine after the coal miners had tried to resume its operation in order to start unauthorized coal extraction. The coalmine was officially closed and its equipment dismantled months ago.

The explosion caused the coalmine’s gallery to collapse, and rescue workers are now trying to clear the gallery from rubble and to find the missing miners, the ministry said.