Bratislava - An explosion ripped through a coal mine in the Slovakian town of Handlova on Monday, trapping 19 people underground, Economics Minister Lubomir Jahnatek said.

The minister, whose office is responsible for mining operations, told a news conference that nine injured miners were rescued, but nothing had been heard from the trapped men since Monday morning.

A spokesman for the mine operators told the television news channel TA3 that the missing men included members of a rescue team that had been sent into the mine to put out a fire.

While they were trying to fight the blaze an explosion erupted 330 metres underground, trapping the men. Experts believe the blast was caused by a leak of methane gas.

Relatives waiting outside the mine for news of the trapped men said they feared the worst.(dpa)