By Lesia KHOMENKO
The conclusions of the expert commission, inquiring into the causes of
the disaster that took place May 24 at the Zasiadko coal mine, were announced
in Donetsk. According to the chairman of the government commission, First
Deputy Prime Minister Volodymyr Kuratchenko, the methane explosion and
the ensuing deaths were caused by a spark in the electric ore moving equipment.
Unfortunately, gas sensors failed to warn of the dangerously high level
of gas in both the air intake and exhaust shafts. Other meters also showed
normal readings. This makes the experts think that the methane was released
suddenly.
It was impossible to foresee this, as well as to get people out of the
mine in time. The experts conclude that there was only a 15-millisecond
interval between the gas being released and the explosion.
The commission also considered other explanations only to reject them
after scrupulous verification. Nor was the theory blaming coal dust for
the explosion proved. In this case, a far stronger blast wave and higher
temperature in the epicenter would have claimed far more lives. But, as
the mine strictly observed safety rules, blocks of inert-dust kept the
coal dust from blowing up. Incidentally, the experts noted there had been
all the necessary rescue facilities underground. But what actually caused
the deaths was an abnormal concentration of carbon monoxide and high temperature
at the moment of explosion. Those responsible for electrical plant maintenance
will be dismissed, the first deputy premier assured local miners. Criminal
proceedings have been instituted and investigation of the disaster is ongoing.
Unfortunately, the death toll has already reached 48: another seven
miners died of burns, injuries and carbon-monoxide poisoning in the burns
center of the Ukrainian Institute of Emergency and Rehabilitative Surgery.
Another victim died in the intensive-care ward at the regional hospital.
Every effort is being made to save their comrades. In two-days time, UAH
2 million have been transferred to the center and another UAH 500,000 to
purchase medications for the victims.






