KIEV, November 19 (RIA Novosti) - The death toll in Sunday's mine blast in the Donetsk Region, east Ukraine, has reached 69 with 31 miners still missing, the Ukrainian emergencies service said Monday.
The Zasyadko coalmine was hit by a methane explosion early Sunday causing a fire to rage through the mine. At the time of the blast 457 miners were underground.
"As of the morning of November 19, 69 miners have died, the fate of a further 31 is unknown, 357 miners have been brought to the surface, 28 have been hospitalized," the emergency service said.
Rescue efforts are continuing to try and locate the missing miners. But a trade union representative said the chances of finding anyone else alive were slim.
Three days of mourning for those who died at the Zasyadko coal mine was announced by local authorities.
