KIEV, March 4 - Pro-Russian separatists on Wednesday rejected an offer of help from Ukrainian rescue teams after a major coal mining accident in the area killed 33 coalminers.

A methane gas blast rocked the Zasyadko coal mine, the largest coal mine in Ukraine, early Wednesday, according to the Donetsk regional government.

The coalmine is located in the area of the Donetsk region that is controlled by Russia-backed separatists that are fighting the government’s forces since May 2014.