Three miners have died in a coal mine explosion in eastern Ukraine, the emergencies service said Tuesday, according to RIA Novosti.

"Three coal miners were killed by a methane blast at the Makeyevugol mine [Donetsk Region, eastern Ukraine] February 12, at 3:50 p.m. local time (0:50 p.m. GMT)," the service said.

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It said their bodies were pulled from the rubble and brought to the surface, adding that the mine`s operation has been suspended.

The service said 55 other miners who were working in the shaft at the time were unharmed.

Law enforcement agencies are investigating the accident.