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Ukraine to compensate families of mine collapse victims

Xinhua, March 3, 2017 Adjust font size:

The Ukrainian government would compensate the families of eight miners killed on Thursday in a mine collapse in western Lviv region, Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman announced on Friday.

"Each family will get 500,000 hryvnyas (about 18,500 U.S. dollars) in compensation," Groysman told the cabinet meeting.

Meanwhile, Deputy Economic Development and Trade Minister Maxim Nefyodov said that 21 injured workers would each receive 2,800 dollars.

According to the Ukrainian Health Ministry, the injured miners remain in hospitals with fractures and severe burns. Two people are in a serious condition, but their life is out of threat.

A total of 34 miners were working in the Stepova mine when it collapsed following a methane gas blast. Five workers escaped the disaster unhurt.

A special commission was set up by the government to investigate the accident.

The blast has been the worst mine accident in Ukraine since March 2015, when 34 miners were killed in methane gas explosion at the Zasyadko mine in eastern Donetsk region.

Ukraine's mines are believed to be among the most dangerous in the world due to their outdated equipment and high concentration of methane levels. Endi