"In spite of this tragedy, we remain committed to fulfilling our mandate and contributing to bring peace to the people of Ukraine," Apakan said.
"I reiterate my call for sustainable cease-fire, withdrawal of weapons, full demining and real commitment to peace," the OSCE chief said. "And I ask that those responsible for placing mines are held accountable."
He underlined that this international unarmed civilian monitoring mission is staffed with "dedicated professionals who work hard to implement the mission's mandate of contributing to normalisation and stabilisation in Ukraine."
Read alsoU.S. State Department comments on deadly incident with OSCE SMM patrol vehicle in Donbas"I am today travelling to the area to extend my support to the monitors and understand the situation better," he said.
Read alsoUkraine's MFA: Kremlin attempts to intimidate OSCE in Donbas by blowing up car (Video)OSCE earlier confirmed a loss of the SMM team member who was conducting a patrol near non-government controlled Pryshyb in the Luhansk region yesterday morning. "One of our armoured vehicles experienced an explosion, likely a mine, resulting in the tragic death of a paramedic from the United States working with the OSCE SMM. Two more patrol members from Germany and the Czech Republic have been admitted to hospital for medical examination," the statement said.
