ROSTOV-ON-DON, December 22 (RIA Novosti) - Two workers suffocated in a mine in the southern Russian region of Rostov on Saturday morning allegedly after ignoring safety requirements, local emergencies officials said.
Officials dismissed reports about a methane blast in the Gukovskaya mine. The tragedy occurred at a depth of about 1 kilometer (0.6 mile), where the bodies were discovered during a shift turnover.
"They were preparing to pump out water and died of lack of air apparently after ignoring basic safety rules," they said adding the miners did not have personal protective gear.
Officials said the two workers last contacted their boss at 7:15 a.m., saying everything was o.k., but were found dead by the next shift at 8:30 a.m. A commission is investigating what caused their death.
Authorities said the "mine's ventilation system is not damaged, and work is continuing in a routine mode."
