An emergencies ministry officer said the first explosion occurred at 8:55 p.m. Moscow time. There were about 370 people in the mine at the moment of the blast, and some 280 were rescued shortly after the accident.
An emergencies ministry officer said the first explosion occurred at 8:55 p.m. Moscow time. There were about 370 people in the mine at the moment of the blast.
A miner, who worked in Raspadskaya for over 15 years, told that the second explosion took place about half an hour after the first one.
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© TK Kvant
64 workers were trapped after the first blast and 20 rescue workers went missing after the second. Photo: hospital where the victims have been taken.
A total of 12 rescue teams were involved in search and rescue efforts.
But after the second blast rescue works were suspended.
Law-enforcers, who are currently working at the site of the accident, earlier said that of the nine rescue teams only six returned back to surface. The remaining three units currently remain unaccounted for.
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© Photo : Andrei Baramygin
The most serious damage was paid to a four-storey building where the main entrance to the mine was located.
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© Photo : Andrei Baramygin
It was leveled to the ground almost completely.
Investigators are currently working at the site of the accident.
A criminal case was launched into the accident amid suspicions that it was caused by breaches in safety rules.
