At least eight killed in Russian mine explosions - Update

Moscow - At least eight people were killed late Saturday in twin coal mine explosions in the Kemerovo region of western Siberia, according to Itar-Tass agency.

Another 64 miners remained underground at the Raspadskaya company- operated mine, according to a source in the regional department for emergencies. Some of them had been in radio contact with officials outside.

The eight deaths and 20 injuries occurred in the first explosion, about 23:55 local time.

Up to 356 people were believed to have been working at the mine at the time of the accident, according to the Russian Emergencies Ministry, state agency Ria Novosti reported.

At least 282 miners were able to leave the mine after the explosions.

Twelve ministry rescue teams and rescue workers from nearby Novokuznetsk were trying to reach those stranded by the explosion.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin ordered officials to do everything they could in the rescue efforts.

The explosion destroyed three buildings above ground.

The Raspadskaya coal mine, opened in 1973,is the largest of its kind in Russia with 300 kilometers of shafts. It produces 8 million tonnes of coal a year for domestic needs as well as export to Ukraine and Asia.

In 2007, an accident in a nearby mine in Novokuznetsk claimed 110 lives, the worst mine accident in decades in Russia.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/322670,at-least-eight-killed-in-russian-mine-explosions--update.html.