Joint separation of acetylene and ethylene from cracked gas, obtained by submerged-flame methods, by condensing the hydrocarbons in one or more stages by cooling to a temperature above the solidification temperature of acetylene in admixture with the other condensable constituents, separating the condensate, washing the residual gas mixture with liquid ethylene and/or ethane, and further cooling the gas mixture free from acetylene to -140* to -170* C.