The blaze erupted at 2.33pm local time in the mine shaft of the Dzerzhisky operation in the eastern Luhansk region and was caused by “unauthorised works with open fire,” according to a Reuters report.

While it was initially reported that over 200 were trapped, an official for the Ukrainian Emergencies Ministry told the news service that all were evacuated.

“Twenty-six stayed underground to help rescuers and do maintenance works in the pit," he said.