This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6465777.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Siberian mine explosion kills 61 Siberia mine blast deaths hit 75
(about 5 hours later)
A methane explosion at a coal mine in Siberia has killed at least 61 people, Russian officials say. A methane explosion at a coal mine in a remote part of Siberia has killed at least 75 people, Russian officials say.
They said 88 miners, several of them injured, had been rescued after the blast at the Ulyanovskaya mine in the Kemerovo region. They said 83 miners, several of them injured, had been rescued after the blast at the mine, nearly 3,000km (1,850 miles) east of Moscow.
The officials said at least 168 miners were underground at the time of the blast. Dozens still remain trapped. About 200 miners were believed to be underground at the time, and more than 40 are still trapped, officials said.
Russia's coal mines are notoriously unsafe. A methane blast at a Kemerovo coal mine killed 21 miners in 2005. Russia's coal mines have a poor safety record. A methane blast at a Kemerovo coal mine killed 21 miners in 2005.
Rescued The blast happened at 1030 Moscow time (0730 GMT) at the Ulyanovskaya mine in Kemerovo region.
The blast at Ulyanovskaya happened at about 1030 Moscow time (0730 GMT). Kemerovo Governor Aman Tuleyev was quoted as saying the explosion occurred after a rockslide caused methane gas to build up in part of the huge mine.
"It was a methane gas explosion," a spokeswoman at Russia's emergency ministry told AFP news agency. He said that after getting as many people out as possible, the priority was to ensure that fire did not break out.
Rescue teams are continuing their search for the remaining miners still trapped underground. Their fate remains unknown. Local officials described current conditions down the mine as " very difficult".
President Vladimir Putin ordered Emergency Situations Minister Sergei Shoigu to fly to the area to oversee the rescue operation, Russian news agencies reported. According to Reuters news agency, rescue work was being hampered by thick smoke and roof collapses in horizontal shafts stretching for up to 5km.
The mine is located in Novokuznetsk, about 3,000km (1,850 miles) east of Moscow. A Reuters reporter who went to the mine said security guards prevented him from getting close.
It was opened in 2002 and had modern equipment, regional officials said. Emergencies minister Sergei Shoigu has been ordered to the area to oversee the rescue operation, Russian news agencies said.
The mine, located at Novokuznetsk, was opened in 2002 and had modern equipment, regional officials said.
Russia's coal mines are largely unprofitable and many have not invested in new safety equipment since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.Russia's coal mines are largely unprofitable and many have not invested in new safety equipment since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Are you in the area? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. If you have any pictures you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk.Are you in the area? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. If you have any pictures you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk.
Click here for more information on how to send your picturesClick here for more information on how to send your pictures
Name:
 Name: