MOSCOW, August 11 (RIA Novosti) - Slovakian authorities announced on Tuesday a day of national mourning for 20 miners killed by a blast in a mine in Handlova, central Slovakia, national media reported.
The day of mourning will be observed on Wednesday for those killed in Monday's explosion, which is believed to have been caused by combustible gases. The blast occurred at about 9:30 a.m. in an old mine when miners were trying to extinguish a coal fire about 330 meters below the surface.
A rescue operation is underway at the mine in very difficult conditions, with temperatures in the tunnels exceeding 70 degrees C (158 F) and a continuing risk of new explosions.
Seven bodies have been already recovered from the mine, while another 13 are also believed to have died. Nine miners who escaped the blast with injuries were taken to a hospital and released on Monday.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expressed his condolences to his Slovakian counterpart Ivan Gasparovic, the Kremlin press service reported. The president asked his colleague to "convey deep condolences to the families of the victims," the statement said.
The mine where the blast occurred belongs to the Hornonitrianske Bane Prievidza mining company and produces 300,000 tons of coal per year.
