More than 30 killed in blast as war drags Ukraine mines from bad to worse

Miners in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region have never had it easy, forced to extract coal in some of the worst conditions seen in the industry worldwide. The Zasyadko mine blast on Wednesday, in which at least 30 miners were killed, is just the latest tragedy in a region where the industry is further ravaged by fighting between pro-Russian rebels and Kiev’s army. The mine employs 10,000 people and more than 200 of them were underground at the of the accident, believed to have been caused by a build-up of methane gas. And while rebel authorities claim they can ensure adequate rescue missions, experts say the war has brought further chaos to the already crippled industry.

There were explosions in 2001, 2004, 2006, and 2007 The Donetsk mines are the most dangerous in Ukraine.

DNR’s emergency minister Alexander Kostrubitsky

Many miners in the region, while supporting the separatists, complain about the lack of work and late pay. But the high toll of Wednesday’s gas blast threatens to stir more discontent as families of missing miners seek to find out who was trapped underground. And since the war broke out 11 months ago and the rebel authorities stepped in, some 700 mine rescuers have left the region, said Mykhailo Volynets, who heads Ukraine’s independent miners trade union.

They are simply ruining the coal industry in Donetsk. Many mines are beginning to flood, water seeping to the surface. Nobody monitors safety precautions so we have these situations.

Mykola Volynko, who heads the Donetsk Basin — or Donbas - mining union

Europe Zasyadko