Ukraine blast: no hope left
Published 21 November, 2007, 14:54
Emergency workers in Urkaine have suspended their search for missing workers in the Zasyadko coal mine in the eastern Donetsk region. Fires made it impossible for rescuers to continue their work, government officials said. It's believed there's little chance of finding survivors.
Meanwhile, funerals are taking place in Ukraine for the victims of the mine blast that killed at least 90 men in Donetsk. It is the third consecutive day of mourning in the city.
The Ukrainian government has offered compensations to the families of the victims.
The explosion – the worst in the country's post-Soviet history – is blamed on a build-up of methane gas. The blast took place at a depth of 1,250 metres on Sunday.
Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Andrey Klyuev said a recent report had given the mine a clean bill of health. He said “all safety measures required by the mining licence were in place.”
Work at nine other mines around the country has been suspended after emergency inspections revealed inadequate safety measures.
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