Rescue teams working in poor visibility and high temperatures have recovered six bodies close to the spot where the explosion occurred, but with conditions in the shaft unfit for survival, there is little hope that any of the remaining 14 miners will be found alive.

"According to a report from mine rescuers all 20 miners died," Economy Minister Lubomir Jahnatek said from the site of the accident, some 195 km (121 miles) northeast of the capital, Bratislava.

The minister, whose office is responsible for national mining activities, said a further nine workers had been rescued earlier on Monday. They were treated for light injuries and have since been discharged from hospital.

The workers had gone underground to try to put out a fire that started in the Handlova mine on Monday morning. The mine operators, Hornonitrianske Bane Prievidza, said they lost all contact with them when a blast suddenly tore through an unused section of the pit some 330 meters (1,080 feet) underground.

Mine director, Peter Cicmanec said the most likely explanation for the explosion was "gases left over from imperfect combustion." He added that there had been several small fires of self-igniting coal over the past few days.

Prime Minister Robert Fico and a number of government ministers travelled to the site of what is Slovakia's worst ever mining disaster to oversee rescue efforts.

Fico ordered a day of national mourning and said he would discuss with his cabinet the subject of aid to the families of those killed.

"This is a great tragedy," he said. "The government is ready to provide financial aid as well."

tkw/Reuters/dpa
Editor: Nancy Isenson