Donetsk prosecutor's office confirms death of nine people at private mine - media

Donetsk Regional Prosecutor's Office has confirmed the death of nine people as a result of a collapse at a private mine in the region, the local OstroV online publication has reported.

"All nine people were killed. Their bodies are being lifted to the surface," the press service of the prosecutor's office told OstroV on Friday.

A gas mixture exploded without further ignition early on Thursday at a mine owned by Grand Invest Plus Ltd. (Kirovske, Shakhtarsk district, Donetsk region) at a depth of 300 meters.

The explosion occurred at 0339. There were nine miners at the time of the explosion. Work at the mine was temporarily suspended.

The bodies of seven miners had been brought to the surface as of early Friday.