"Several bodies have indeed been found, but not dozens, as Kiev's representatives claim. Rescue works continue," the spokesperson told RIA Novosti.
He added that casualty figures are calculated only when a body is brought to the surface. "At this point, one body has been lifted, that's why it is incorrect to name other figures," the spokesperson said, adding that several dozen miners still remain underground.
On Wednesday morning, an explosion occurred in the Zasyadko mine on DPR-controlled territory. According to the DPR Emergencies Ministry, 230 people were in the mine when the blast took place.
A source in Russian law enforcement agencies told RIA Novosti that almost 200 mine workers have already been evacuated while the fate of 32 people remains unknown.
"One hundred ninety-eight people, including 15 injured and 1 dead have been brought to the surface," the agency's source said.
Following the blast, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said he had ordered rescue teams to be sent to the mine but the DPR authorities had denied them access.
However, DPR negotiator Denis Pushilin said that Kiev did not offer the self-proclaimed republic any help regarding the rescue operation.
