DPR rescuers retrieve a body from Skochinsky mine struck by explosion on Nov 17

Donetsk, Nov 25 – DAN. DPR first responders have discovered the body of a miner who went missing after the November 17 Skochinsky mine accident.

“On November 20, at 1:45 a.m. one of the bodies was discovered in an additional gallery No.2 of the 5th western face, where the gallery connects to the western main. At 5.15 a.m. the burnt body was brought to the surface.”

Three miner remain unaccounted for.

A fire broke out in the conveyor gallery located in the 6th western face of the Skochinsky mine on November 17 at 5.20 a.m. as 26 miners were underground; 22 were evacuated.

Four miners remain unaccounted for after the evacuation of personnel.

Currently mine rescuers are carrying out engineer reconnaissance of the mine and ventilation systems, and install gas detectors of continuous methane and carbon monoxide. The accident site is being ventilated.

The decision on search efforts will be adopted after the situation stabilizes.

The Skochinsky mine was commissioned in 1975. It produces quality metallurgical coals of grades “Zh” and “K”. The company has produced some 30 million tons of coal tunnelling some 250 kilometres since  the start of operation. The maximum tunnel depth is 1,350 metres. The company employs about 2,300 people.*ot