President instructs Vice Premier to take assistance to mine explosion victims under her personal control

Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed Vice Premier Galina Karelova to take the assistance to victims of the Ziminka mine explosion in the Kemerovo region, Siberian Federal District under her personal control.

It is necessary to "collect all the information and do everything possible to help the people," the president said, opening his Tuesday meeting with members of the government.

A Monday methane explosion and a collapsing roof at the Ziminka mine in Prokopievsk, Kemerovo region killed 11 miners. 2 survivors were hospitalized.

According to a source in the Russian Emergencies Ministry, a tunnel is being dug out to save four other miners who were buried behind the debris. The miners are alive, and the rescuers keep communicating with them, the source said.