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 9 | Version 10 |
|---|---|
| Siberia mine blast deaths hit 78 | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A methane explosion at a coal mine in a remote part of Siberia has killed at least 78 people, Russian officials say. | |
| 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. | 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. |
| About 200 miners were believed to be underground at the time, and more than 40 are still trapped, officials said. | About 200 miners were believed to be underground at the time, and more than 40 are still trapped, officials said. |
| Russia's coal mines have a poor safety record. 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. |
| The blast happened at 1030 Moscow time (0730 GMT) at the Ulyanovskaya mine in Kemerovo region. | The blast happened at 1030 Moscow time (0730 GMT) at the Ulyanovskaya mine in Kemerovo region. |
| 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. | 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. |
| He said that after getting as many people out as possible, the priority was to ensure that fire did not break out. | He said that after getting as many people out as possible, the priority was to ensure that fire did not break out. |
| Local officials described current conditions down the mine as " very difficult". | Local officials described current conditions down the mine as " very difficult". |
| According to Reuters news agency, rescue work was being hampered by thick smoke and roof collapses in horizontal shafts stretching for up to 5km. | According to Reuters news agency, rescue work was being hampered by thick smoke and roof collapses in horizontal shafts stretching for up to 5km. |
| A Reuters reporter who went to the mine said security guards prevented him from getting close. | A Reuters reporter who went to the mine said security guards prevented him from getting close. |
| Emergencies minister Sergei Shoigu has been ordered to the area to oversee the rescue operation, Russian news agencies said. | Emergencies minister Sergei Shoigu has been ordered to the area to oversee the rescue operation, Russian news agencies said. |
| The mine, at Novokuznetsk, was opened in 2002 and had modern equipment, regional officials said. | The mine, 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 pictures | Click here for more information on how to send your pictures |