Mine explosion kills 25, another explosion possible to occur

The number of tragedies testifies to the catastrophic condition of the mining industry in Russia's Kemerovo region

According to the latest official information, 25 dead bodies, including eight rescuers, have been retrieved from the Yesaulskaya mine in the city of Novokuznetsk, in which a methane explosion took place yesterday. It will take specialists time to identify some of the bodies because they have been seriously damaged with the blast.

It was previously reported that three miners were found alive under the rubble – the people have been hospitalized. If the information is correct, it means that there has been no one left in the mine. It is not ruled out, however, that over 30 people were working in the mine during the moment of the explosion.

The rescuing operation has been temporarily suspended (Kemerovo regional governor Aman Tuleyev personally controls the operation). Methane plops resumed in the mine – a new explosion is not excluded either. Rescuing works will start again on Thursday.

The Office of the Public Prosecutor of Novokuznetsk instituted criminal proceedings on the fact of the breakdown in the Yesaulskaya mine (violation of safety regulations during mining works).

Friday, February 11th, has been announced the mourning day in the Kemerovo region of Russia in connection with the explosion in the mine. Flags will fly at half-staff, all entertaining arrangements and events will be canceled in the region tomorrow.

Another serious accident happened in the Kemerovo region six months ago. A powerful blast rocked the Listvyazhnaya coal mine in the town of Belovo on October 28th last year. One hundred and three miners were working in the mine during the tragic moment. It is noteworthy that the number of tragedies that occurred in regional mines over recent several years testifies to the catastrophic condition of the mining industry in the region.