Press Release81 Dead After Coal Mine Explosion in UkraineMarch 13, 2000 # 15Eighty-one people have been killed and six more injured as a result of an explosion on Saturday, 11 March 2000 in the Barakova Coal Mine in Krasnodon, Luhansk Region, Ukraine. 13 and 14 March 2000 have been declared the national days of mourning of the victims of the accident, the worst tragedy in the coal-mining industry of Ukraine since it became independent in 1991. The mourning will last three days in Luhansk Region. In connection with the tragedy President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma and Prime Minister Victor Yuschenko cancelled their scheduled trips abroad. On Sunday, 12 March 2000 Mr. Yuschenko came to Luhansk Region. A special Government Commission of Ukraine, including Mr. Sergiy Tulub, Minister for Petroleum and Energy of Ukraine, is working on the site of the accident to investigate its causes and provide assistance to the families of the victims. Over 130 have been orphaned by the accident, including 71 children under the age of 16. For those wishing to offer their assistance to the families of the victims the following accounts have been set up at the Krasnodon Branch No. 3121 of the Savings Bank of Ukraine:
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