Enlarge image
Rescue workers near the shaft: No contact with people in the pit
Photo: Maxim Kiselev / imago images / ITAR-TASS
In a serious accident in a Russian coal mine in western Siberia, at least eleven people were killed and dozen injured.
The governor of the Kemerovo region, Sergei Tsivilev, said there were still 46 people in the pit who were not in contact.
The rescue work was temporarily interrupted due to the risk of explosion.
In addition, according to the Ministry of Civil Protection, contact with several rescue workers broke off.
They are being searched for.
60 workers in hospitals
A total of 239 workers were rescued from the »Listwjaschnaja« shaft in the Kuznetsk coal basin, more than 60 of them had to be treated in hospitals, as the governor announced.
The condition of the miners in the shaft is unclear.
The mine tunnels were heavily filled with smoke, it was said.
The workers could not save themselves.
This was announced by Governor Ziwiljow after a video conference with Russian Civil Protection Minister Alexander Chuprijan.
The minister also traveled to the region.
Putin speaks of "tragedy"
In the mine, an explosion had occurred in the morning for an initially unknown cause, according to information at a depth of about 250 meters.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to the relatives of the victims of the "tragedy" and ordered that aid be given to the bereaved and survivors.
“Unfortunately, the situation is not getting any easier.
There is also a danger to the lives of the rescue workers, "Putin said.
"We hope that it will be possible to save as many people as possible." Governor Ziwilev started a three-day mourning in the region - from this Friday to Sunday.
Working in coal mining in Russia is considered life-threatening.
Serious accidents occur time and again due to violations of elementary safety regulations.
ptz / dpa
