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The 2007 Zasyadko mine disaster was a mining accident that happened on November 18, 2007 at the Zasyadko coal mine (Ukrainian: Шахта ім. Засядько) in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk.
 Location of Donetsk Oblast in Ukraine | |
| Date | November 18, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Location | Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine |
| Coordinates | 48°04′08″N 37°48′20″E / 48.06889°N 37.80556°E |
| Deaths | 101 |
By November 30, 101 miners were reported dead:[1] the worst accident in Ukraine's history. At the time of the explosion, 457 miners were in the complex.[2][3]
Causes and investigation
editThe accident was caused by a methane explosion located more than 1,000 metres (3,281 ft) below ground level.[4]
The Zasyadko Mine is considered one of the most dangerous coal mines in the world,[5] An independent mining expert recently[when?] claimed that the company management, linked to a powerful local clan, interferes with hazard-measuring equipment on a permanent basis, in order to present underground situation as being within the safety standards, and so to prevent production from closure by the government inspectors.[6] President Viktor Yushchenko blamed the cabinet for failing to “implement safe mining practices” in the coal industry.[4] A criminal investigation is also underway.[needs update]
Government reaction
editFamilies of the deceased miners will receive compensations totaling ₴100,000,[7] (approx. $20,000 USD) which constitutes part of the ₴15 million that the Government of Ukraine had set aside for renovation of the mine to prevent future accidents from happening.[8]
On November 19, 2007, President Viktor Yushchenko signed a decree that calls for investigation into Zasyadko mine disaster as well as prevention of such disasters in the future.[9] The President also signed a decree making November 20 a Day of National Mourning.[10]
Mining accidents trend
edit
Within the past decade, the frequency of mining accidents has increased in the Donbas coal region. The Zasyadko mine accident is the deadliest ever accident in Ukraine, surpassing the Barakova Mine accident in 2000, which killed at least 80 workers.[4]
The Zasyadko Mine, Ukraine's largest and most equipped mine, employs 10,000 people and produces up to 10,000 tons of coal per day.[11] Prior to this, four previous major mining accidents at the mine had killed a total of 148 workers combined.[12][13]
Recurring accidents
editTwelve days later, on December 1, 2007, at 5:55 local time another methane explosion happened in the same mine section injuring 52 miners.[14] After this, at 21:20 local time on December 2, another explosion occurred,[15] killing at least 5 workers and injuring 30 more.[16]
See also
edit- 2008 Ukraine coal mine collapse, a gas explosion in June 2008
References
edit- ^ "Hospitalized miner died". Korrespondent (in Russian). November 30, 2007. Retrieved November 30, 2007.
- ^ Korneychuk, Dmitriy (November 18, 2007). "Methane blast at the mine of Zasyadko". Gazeta po-Kievskiy (in Russian). Archived from the original on November 19, 2007. Retrieved November 19, 2007.
- ^ "Yushchenko goes to Donetsk with a pain in his heart". Korrespondent (in Russian). November 18, 2007. Retrieved November 19, 2007.
- ^ a b c "Ukraine's mine death toll rises". BBC News. November 20, 2007. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
- ^ Шахта им. А.Ф.Засядько в Донецке. Справка RIA Novosti, November 19, 2007
- ^ Перша версія трагедії у Донецьку[permanent dead link] (TSN news on Channel 1+1), November 22, 2007 (video of the report[permanent dead link])
- ^ "The number of killed miners in the Zasyadko mine reaches 63". Korrespondent (in Russian). November 18, 2007. Retrieved November 19, 2007.
- ^ "Body count reaches 90". Korrespondent (in Russian). November 20, 2007. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
- ^ Laws of Ukraine. Presidential decree No. 7014: On the emergency procedures on resolving the aftermath of the accident at the Zasyadko Mine. Adopted on November 19, 2007. (Ukrainian)
- ^ "Tomorrow- Day of National Mourning". Korrespondent (in Russian). November 19, 2007. Retrieved November 19, 2007.
- ^ "Ukraine mine blast kills 65". Agence France-Presse. November 18, 2007. Retrieved November 19, 2007.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "The cause of a Donetsk mine tragedy is announced". Korrespondent (in Russian). September 20, 2006. Retrieved November 19, 2007.
- ^ "Zasyadko mine. Black chronologies". Korrespondent (in Russian). November 19, 2006. Retrieved November 19, 2007.
- ^ "All miners evacuated". Korrespondent (in Russian). December 1, 2007. Retrieved December 1, 2007.
- ^ "Another explosion on Zasyadko mine". Korrespondent (in Russian). December 1, 2007. Retrieved December 1, 2007.
- ^ "The number of killed workers at the Zasyadko mine increased to 5". Korrespondent (in Russian). December 2, 2007. Retrieved December 2, 2007.