KIEV 

At least eight people have been reported dead after a gas explosion hit a coal mine in Ukraine's western Lviv region, the State Emergency Service said Thursday.

According to the service, six people were also injured during the explosion in Hlukhiv village.

There were a total of 171 workers inside the mine during the blast, it said, adding rescue efforts were ongoing at the site.

Mihaylo Volinets, head of the Independent Trade Union of Miners of Ukraine, said on his Facebook page that 11 people died during the explosion.

*Reporting by Ali Cura; Writing by Diyar Guldogan