ANKARA

 At least 32 people were killed in a coal mine explosion in the pro-Russian controlled region of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine Tuesday.

"A terrible tragedy took place this morning in Zasyadko," Volodymyr Groysman, the speaker of Ukraine's parliament said. "There are victims, currently numbering 32." 

According to Donetsk authorities, there were over 230 people in the mine at the time of the explosion. Around 150 people have been rescued so far.

"The explosion was caused by a mixture of gas and air, which is a common cause of industrial mining accidents," Donetsk officials said.

A similar explosion occurred in Donetsk in 2007 and killed more than 100 people.