Putin Sends Condolences To Yushchenko Over Coalmine Tragedy

MOSCOW, Russia -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a message of condolences to Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko.

Russian President Vladimir Putin
"I was deeply shaken by the news of the tragedy at the Zasyadko mine in Donetsk region causing a massive loss of life. We sincerely share the grief of fraternal Ukraine and regard the developments as our common disaster," the message received by Interfax on Monday reads.

Interfax reported earlier that the death toll in the coalmine blast had increased to 69 by Monday morning.

The Ukrainian Emergency Situations Ministry said 31 miners were still missing.

Meanwhile, 357 survivors have been raised to the surface, and 28 of them have been hospitalized - 27 with gas poisoning and one with burns and injuries.

A mixture of air and methane exploded at 3:11 a.m. on Sunday at a depth of 1,078 meters.

There were 456 miners underground, 186 in the disaster area.

Source: Interfax