Russia Sends Aid to Coal Mine Blast Victims in Donetsk

MOSCOW (Press TV) - Russia has sent a humanitarian aid convoy to the families of victims of a coal mine explosion in Ukraine’s eastern city of Donetsk.

Date: 07 March 2015 - 21:53

News ID: ۱۱۷۶۹

A spokesperson for Russia’s Emergencies Ministry said Saturday the humanitarian convoy was formed on an emergency basis on behalf of Russia's President Vladimir Putin to provide the families of those killed and injured in the blast at the Zasyadko coal mine with assistance.
The convoy consists of over 20 vehicles that will deliver over 200 tons of humanitarian aid, mainly food products and medicines.
The deadly blast on Wednesday, apparently sparked by methane gas, occurred in the Zasyadko mine, one of Ukraine's biggest coal mines.
The explosion took place as 230 workers were underground.
On Friday, authorities of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) confirmed that 33 people including four miners had been killed and 15 others injured as the rescue operation was complete.
The funeral of the killed people was held on Friday.

The men were buried at the Shcheglovskoye cemetery in Donetsk.
A day of mourning was declared Thursday in the eastern Ukrainian city.
Donetsk is the epicenter of a nearly year-long conflict between Ukrainian government troops and pro-Russians.
According to the latest figures, over 6,000 people have been killed and about 14,000 others injured in the war.