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DPA
Moscow
At least 11 people have been killed and dozens injured in an explosion at a Russian coal mine in western Siberia.
The governor of the Kemerovo region, Sergei Tsivilev, announced on Thursday that 46 people were still missing in the mine. Rescue work was temporarily suspended due to the risk of explosion.
Tsivilev scheduled three days of mourning in the region from Friday to Sunday.
A total of 239 workers were rescued from the Listvyazhnaya shaft in the Kuznetsk coal basin, with more than 40 of them having to be treated in hospital, according to the civil defence.
An explosion occurred in the mine in the morning. The cause of the blast was not yet clear, nor was the condition of the miners still underground.
According to reports, the mine tunnels were filled with smoke. The workers could not save themselves, Tsivilev said after a video conference with Russian Civil Defence Minister Alexander Chupriyan.
He said rescue workers were being deployed. Chupriyan also travelled to the region.
The explosion is said to have occurred at a depth of 250 metres.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to the relatives of the victims of the “tragedy” and ordered assistance to the bereaved families and survivors.
“Unfortunately, the situation is not getting easier. There is also a danger to the lives of rescue workers,” Putin said. “We hope that it will be possible to save as many people as possible.” Working in coal mines in Russia is considered extremely dangerous.
Due to violations of elementary safety regulations, serious accidents repeatedly occur, often because of methane gas explosions.
The highly flammable gas is released during mining operations and accumulates in the shafts if ventilation is poor.
Moscow
At least 11 people have been killed and dozens injured in an explosion at a Russian coal mine in western Siberia.
The governor of the Kemerovo region, Sergei Tsivilev, announced on Thursday that 46 people were still missing in the mine. Rescue work was temporarily suspended due to the risk of explosion.
Tsivilev scheduled three days of mourning in the region from Friday to Sunday.
A total of 239 workers were rescued from the Listvyazhnaya shaft in the Kuznetsk coal basin, with more than 40 of them having to be treated in hospital, according to the civil defence.
An explosion occurred in the mine in the morning. The cause of the blast was not yet clear, nor was the condition of the miners still underground.
According to reports, the mine tunnels were filled with smoke. The workers could not save themselves, Tsivilev said after a video conference with Russian Civil Defence Minister Alexander Chupriyan.
He said rescue workers were being deployed. Chupriyan also travelled to the region.
The explosion is said to have occurred at a depth of 250 metres.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to the relatives of the victims of the “tragedy” and ordered assistance to the bereaved families and survivors.
“Unfortunately, the situation is not getting easier. There is also a danger to the lives of rescue workers,” Putin said. “We hope that it will be possible to save as many people as possible.” Working in coal mines in Russia is considered extremely dangerous.
Due to violations of elementary safety regulations, serious accidents repeatedly occur, often because of methane gas explosions.
The highly flammable gas is released during mining operations and accumulates in the shafts if ventilation is poor.
