This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59421319

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Siberia: Dozens missing after deadly Russian mine accident Death toll soars to 52 in Russian coal mine fire
(about 4 hours later)
Three rescuers sent to find survivors after a Siberian mine filled with smoke have died, bringing the disaster's death toll to 14. The coal mine is in Siberia, some 3,500km (2,175 miles) east of Moscow
The accident happened when coal dust in a ventilation shaft caught alight, according to the Russian state news agency Tass. The death toll from an accident at a Siberian coal mine has risen to 52, according to Russian media reports.
About 285 people were in the mine at the time, with the majority escaping. Eleven people were intially confirmed to have died after coal dust in a ventilation shaft caught fire early on Thursday, filling the mine with smoke.
Rescue teams went in to find the 35 still trapped. The rescuers' bodies were found hours later on Thursday. A rescue operation had hoped to find survivors, but ended in tragedy.
Russia's Emergencies Ministry said one of the rescue teams at the Listvyazhnaya mine, in the Kemerovo region some 3,500km (2,175 miles) east of Moscow, had lost contact with those on the surface. One rescue team lost touch with the surface, with at least three rescuers confirmed to have died - although local media suggest the toll is higher.
Officials confirmed to Tass that three bodies had been found, and Russia's privately-owned Interfax news agency quoted a source saying their oxygen had run out. It is unclear if any more rescuers are missing. About 285 people were in the mine at the time of the accident, with the majority escaping. Of those, 49 were taken to hospital with injuries, officials said. Some of the injured have smoke poisoning, and four are said to be in a critical condition.
Eleven miners are known to have died, and 49 people have been taken to hospital with injuries, officials said. Some of the injured have smoke poisoning, and four are said to be in a critical condition. It was thought 35 miners remained unaccounted for in the Listvyazhnaya mine, in the Kemerovo region some 3,500km (2,175 miles) east of Moscow.
Both the Russian state news agency Tass and privately-owned Interfax reported that the death toll had risen to 52 on Thursday evening, with one emergency service source telling Tass "no one was left alive".
It is unclear how many rescue workers are among the fatalities. Russia's privately-owned Interfax news agency quoted a source saying the oxygen supply of some of the search party had run out.
The search for more survivors was paused earlier on Thursday amid fears that dangerously high levels of methane in the mine could cause an explosion.The search for more survivors was paused earlier on Thursday amid fears that dangerously high levels of methane in the mine could cause an explosion.
Local governor Sergei Tsivilev said in a video on Telegram that work would resume "as soon as the gas concentration decreases to a safe level".Local governor Sergei Tsivilev said in a video on Telegram that work would resume "as soon as the gas concentration decreases to a safe level".
Mr Tsivilev earlier said they had lost contact with the missing miners as the underground communications system was not working.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he hoped "(they) will be able to save as many people as possible", describing the loss of life as "a great tragedy".Russian President Vladimir Putin said he hoped "(they) will be able to save as many people as possible", describing the loss of life as "a great tragedy".
This is not the first accident at the mine, according to local media, with a methane gas explosion killing 13 in 2004. More widely, accidents in Russian mines are not uncommon.This is not the first accident at the mine, according to local media, with a methane gas explosion killing 13 in 2004. More widely, accidents in Russian mines are not uncommon.
In 2016, authorities assessed the safety of the country's 58 coal mines and declared 34% of them potentially unsafe. The list did not include the Listvyazhnaya mine at the time, Russian reports say.In 2016, authorities assessed the safety of the country's 58 coal mines and declared 34% of them potentially unsafe. The list did not include the Listvyazhnaya mine at the time, Russian reports say.