Special construction to stop inflow of water to Zapadnaya mine

A reinforced concrete construction of special design will be used to stop the inflow of water to the accident-stricken Zapadnaya-Kapitalnaya mine, Russian Deputy Emergencies Minister Alexander Moskolets told journalists on Monday.

According to him, preparations to lower this construction are underway. Tubes of 2.12 metres in diameter are lowered to the mine's shaft for this purpose.

The reinforced concrete construction is to make an obstruction to pour quarrystone to the accident-stricken shaft.

Last night rescuers already tried to stop the inflow of water in the mine, Moskolets said. A metallic construction was lowered to the shaft but the water carried it away.

It is still impossible to pour ground and stones to the mine. They are washed away to neighbouring galleries, the Deputy Emergencies Minister added.