Ukraine: Nationwide day of mourning as 33 confirmed dead in coal mine blast

By Euronews with Reuters

Published on 05/03/2015 - 10:52

President Petro Poroshenko declares Thursday a day of national mourning in Ukraine, as 33 are confirmed dead in the Zasyadko coal mine disaster.

As the death toll from the Zasyadko coal mine disaster reaches 33, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has declared Thursday (March 5) a day of national mourning.

5 березня - день жалоби за загиблими на шахті імені Засядька http://t.co/93tlGFED8X pic.twitter.com/qSTIJENFib
— Петро Порошенко (@poroshenko) March 4, 2015

*(“March 5 – the day of mourning for the victims at Zasyadko mine.”)*Sixteen people have been hospitalised as a result of the explosion – thought to have been caused by a build-up of methane gas.

Miners returned to work in other parts of the pit the day after the disaster.

Zasyadko mine lies in the rebel-held Donbass region, in Ukraine’s industrial heartland. However, recent fighting in the area, between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian government forces, is not thought to have any link to the blast.

The mine has a history of fatal accidents. There were three accidents in 2007 alone, one of which killed 101 people.

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