Ukraine has observed a day of mourning after 32 miners died in a blast in a notoriously dangerous mine near the frontline of the conflict between pro-Russian separatists and Kiev's forces.
Rescuers found the bodies of 32 miners in the Zasyadko mine, with one person still unaccounted for, a day after a blast ripped through the shaft, emergency officials of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic said on Thursday.
Most of the bodies have been brought to the surface for identification, while survivors were being treated in hospital for burns and gas poisoning.
The Zasyadko mine is located on the outskirts of rebel hub Donetsk.
Despite the conflict, the mine had remained in operation.
Donetsk region prosecutors have launched a probe into the possible violation of safety precautions at the mine, but conceded that an investigation would be impossible as the mine is under the control of pro-Russian separatists.
Rebel prosecutors said they had launched a probe of their own.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko had decreed that Thursday would be a nationwide day of mourning, ordering the Ukrainian flag flown at half-mast and cancelling entertainment events.
The parliament at midday observed a minute's silence, while in Donetsk, a piece of black fabric was tied to the flagpost by the entrance to the mine's headquarters.
Access to the mine was closed off by the rebels on Thursday morning.
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