2007 Zasyadko mine disaster

Causes and investigation

A methane explosion occurred more than 1000 m below ground level.

The Zasyadko Mine is considered one of the most dangerous coal mines in the world, An independent mining expert recently 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. President Viktor Yushchenko blamed the cabinet for failing to “implement safe mining practices” in the coal industry. A criminal investigation is also underway.

Government reaction

Families of the deceased miners were to receive compensations totaling ₴100,000, (approx. $ 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.

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. The President also signed a decree making November 20 a Day of National Mourning.

Mining incidents trend

Within the decade leading up to the explosion, the frequency of mining incidents 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.

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. Prior to this, four previous major mining accidents at the mine had killed a total of 148 workers combined.

Recurring incidents

Twelve days later, on December 1, 2007, at 5:55 local time another methane explosion happened in the same mine section injuring 52 miners. After this, at 21:20 local time on December 2, another explosion occurred, killing at least five workers and injuring 30 more.

References

References

1. Korneychuk, Dmitriy. (November 18, 2007). "Methane blast at the mine of Zasyadko". Gazeta po-Kievskiy.
2. (November 18, 2007). "Yushchenko goes to Donetsk with a pain in his heart". [[Korrespondent]].
3. (November 20, 2007). "Ukraine's mine death toll rises". [[BBC News]].
4. [http://www.rian.ru/spravka/20071119/88646124.html Шахта им. А.Ф.Засядько в Донецке. Справка] RIA Novosti, November 19, 2007
5. (June 2017). (June 2017)
6. (November 18, 2007). "The number of killed miners in the Zasyadko mine reaches 63". [[Korrespondent]].
7. (November 20, 2007). "Body count reaches 90". [[Korrespondent]].
8. {{Cite Ukrainian law. Presidential decree]]. (November 19, 2007)
9. (November 19, 2007). "Tomorrow- Day of National Mourning". [[Korrespondent]].
10. (November 18, 2007). "Ukraine mine blast kills 65". [[Agence France-Presse]].
11. (September 20, 2006). "The cause of a Donetsk mine tragedy is announced". [[Korrespondent]].
12. (November 19, 2006). "Zasyadko mine. Black chronologies". [[Korrespondent]].
13. (December 1, 2007). "All miners evacuated". Korrespondent.
14. (December 1, 2007). "Another explosion on Zasyadko mine". Korrespondent.
15. (December 2, 2007). "The number of killed workers at the Zasyadko mine increased to 5". Korrespondent.