EU urges 'utmost restraint' after deadly Odessa fire

The European Union today urged "utmost restraint" in the Ukraine conflict after more than 30 people died in a fire in southern Odessa and violence spiralled across the country.

"The EU urges everyone to exercise utmost restraint and not to exploit this tragedy to fuel more hatred, division and senseless violence," EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said about the bloodiest day since Kiev's Western-backed government took power.

Ashton also called for an "independent investigation" into the fire.