Zasyadko mine explosion death toll rises to 32

The death toll from the methane explosion at Zasyadko mine in Donetsk has risen to 32 people, the Emergency Situations Ministry of the Donetsk People’s Republic reports. March 5 has been announced a national mourning day in Ukraine.

In the afternoon, a minute of silence will be observed for the victims of the accident throughout Ukraine, with all the state flags to be flown at half-mast.

As EAD reported earlier, a methane explosion at Zasyadko Mine in Donetsk occurred on the depth of over one kilometer on the night from March 3 to 4. 230 miners were in the mine at the moment of explosion. Witnesses say there was outbreak of gas and coal mixture. 15 rescue brigades of the Emergency Situations Ministry of DPR were involved in the search and recovery operations.

Rescuers say the accident was not caused by artillery shelling. Presumably, it was a methane explosion. Today, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon extended his condolences to the families of the killed miners.